While Donald Trump held a personalised football bearing his name and celebrated the Navy Midshipmen football team’s triumph, the glistening championship ring on his left hand was unable to distract from the unexplained bruise that resurfaced on his right hand.
President Donald Trump has previously had odd marks on his hand that have sparked interest and raised questions about his health.
Earlier this year, pictures from Trump’s meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron went viral. The gathering, which took place on the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, gained popularity due to a black mark on Trump’s right hand that resembled a bruise rather than the political topics discussed.
Following the photographs’ release, social media users quickly left comments, many of them asking if this was an isolated event or a sign of a wider trend.
The picture immediately became popular after the press conference, with people on X (previously Twitter) speculating on the apparent bruise.
“I was browsing Getty and couldn’t help but notice this photo of a huge bruise on Trump’s hand today,” one person commented.
Another said, “A few pictures from the past few months show Trump’s hand bruised. The same hand appears to be used consistently.
A third person went on to say, “When you’re taking blood thinners, you get that kind of IV bruise. With what are they pumping him?
Some conjectured that Trump had tried to conceal the mark with makeup, citing a report from Getty Images that stated the region was “covered in make-up.”
The White House denies rumours.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt at the time downplayed worries about the bruises. She ascribed the score to Trump’s high degree of public interaction, including his propensity to shake hands with fans.
Scrolling Getty and couldn't help but notice this photo of a huge bruise on Trump's hand today pic.twitter.com/LY9LFypsFF
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) February 25, 2025
In a statement, Leavitt added, “President Trump is a man of the people and meets more Americans and shakes more hands on a daily basis than any other president in history,” according to NBC.
As she went on to say, “President Trump has bruises on his hand because he’s constantly working and shaking hands all day, every day.”
Then, in mid-March, the matter reappeared as Trump was once more pictured with a noticeable mark on his hand, which sparked fresh online conjecture.
“Not likely to shake hands.”
Expert opinions on potential reasons were solicited. In an interview with The Mirror, skin specialist Dr. Anatalia Moore expressed disagreement with Leavitt’s handshaking notion.
It is improbable that a handshake would result in a bruise unless it is performed with a painful grasp.
A deeper hand bruise in an elderly patient or someone Donald Trump’s age would lead me to believe that they first needed medical assistance, which would have necessitated inserting a cannula—also referred to as a drip—into their hand. That means they might have recently undergone surgery or been admitted to the hospital.
“For many patients in their 70s – especially those who are not what we call a ‘fit 70’ – even a small bump against a doorframe can cause significant bruising,” she added.
Recurrence of the bruising
In celebration of their valiant effort to win the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy, the president invited the Navy Midshipmen football team to the White House on April 15. In a ceremony that showcased their athletic prowess and steadfast military discipline, the squad was honoured for outperforming both the Army and the Air Force.
During his speech, Trump held a football bearing his name and declared, “They’re not just great football players…they’re true American warriors.”
The people was more interested in Trump’s right hand than in the trophy or the speech, though.
When the greenish-yellow bruise, which appears to have been covered up by cosmetics, suddenly reappeared, the internet community went into overdrive.
When the hand bruise reappeared, rumours spread like wildfire on social media within minutes.
Mysterious large bruise reappears on Donald Trump's hand – as doctor claims to know worrying health reason behind it https://t.co/TwGH6TTGyD
— Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) April 17, 2025
another speculated that Trump might be receiving fluids for dehydration or perhaps fighting a vitamin deficiency, while another said the mark appeared to be one made by an IV needle.
“Slight trauma”
A general practitioner in the United Kingdom named Dr. Ola Otulana concurred with Dr. Moore’s previous theory. The doctor informed the Daily Mail that the bruise seems to be “consistent with a superficial contusion,” offering some expert advice.
In “simple terms,” he explained, the bruise is probably “the result of minor trauma.”
Due to “thinning skin” and “more fragile blood vessels,” bruising is “more prominent” in older adults, according to Dr. Otulana. “This could occur from something as everyday as bumping the hand against a hard surface, repeated pressure – for example from leaning on a cane or gripping something firmly – or even medical procedures like venepuncture, or blood draw,” she added.
According to Otulana, certain medications, such as blood thinners, anti-inflammatory drugs, and aspirin, “make bruises appear more easily and linger longer – which could be the case here.”
We will continue to speculate until we receive answers!
What do you suppose caused Trump’s bruises? Tell us what you think, and then tell your friends about this story so we can hear from them!
