Featured Image Credit: MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images
Topics: Donald Trump, Health, Politics, US News
Lucy Devine
Topics: Donald Trump, Health, Politics, US News
President Donald Trump officials have spoken out after the president's bruise was spotted on his hand once again.
Back in February, fans noticed that Trump, 79, was sporting a bruise on the back of his hand when he welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron to Washington to discuss the Russia-Ukraine war.
At the time, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt claimed the apparent injury was caused by how many hands Trump shakes daily.
The President himself made a similar claim back in December, which saw him acknowledging the blemish during his Time magazine Person of the Year interview, insisting he'd been 'shaking hands with thousands of people'.
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Despite the White House offering an explanation from the bruise, it hasn't stopped people speculating, and the questions arose once again earlier this week.
During a meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, the bruise could be seen on the back of Trump's right hand.
Later, appearing before press, Trump was questioned in regards to the Russia-Ukraine war, as well as the recent National Guard deployment in Washington D.C.
While taking questions, however, the 79-year-old could be seen holding his own hands tightly as he sat at his desk.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), one critic questioned: "Does anyone notice that trump is hiding his hand in this video and not doing his usual hand gestures?"
Another asked outright: "Why is Trump continually hiding his right hand?"
"Somebody ask why Trump is covering his hand," a third begged. "He’s intentionally hiding it."
Following the controversy, two doctors have spoken out about the bruising, with Trump's physician, Dr Sean Barbabella explaining: “Recent photos of the President have shown minor bruising on the back of his hand.
"This is consistent with minor soft tissue irritation from frequent handshaking and the use of aspirin, which is taken as part of a standard cardiovascular prevention regimen. This is a well-known and benign side effect of aspirin therapy.”
Meanwhile, Trump's former physician, Ronny Jackson added: “As President Trump's former personal physician, former Physician to the President, and White House physician for 14 years across three administrations, I can tell you unequivocally: President Donald J. Trump is the healthiest president this nation has ever seen.
"I continue to consult with his current physician and medical team at the White House and still spend significant time with the President. He is mentally and physically sharper than ever before.”
One theory over the bruise is that it could be from 'infusions'.
Dr Gareth Nye, a lecturer at the University of Salford, previously told the Daily Star that the bruise could in fact be 'from an IV drip', with the discolouration resembling the kind left by a needle insertion.
"That suggests he's getting an infusion every month," Nye explained.
The same expert also suggested, however, that the bruising could be caused by 'blood thinning medication', or sun exposure triggered by a lot of time spent outdoors, possibly playing golf.