Photographs showing fresh bruising on US President Donald Trump’s hand raised eyebrows on Thursday (Jan 22), but the 79-year-old dismissed renewed health speculation, saying he had simply hit a table.
Trump has frequently been seen with bruising on his right hand since returning to the White House last year, often covering it with bandages or makeup. The White House has attributed the marks to frequent handshakes and his use of aspirin for cardiovascular health, which can make bruising more likely.
However, photos at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, showed dark bruises in a similar location on Trump’s left hand. The images, taken during an inaugural ceremony for his global “Board of Peace” initiative, quickly circulated on social media.
“I clipped it on the table,” Trump told reporters on Air Force One when asked about the bruising. He added: “I would say, take aspirin if you like your heart, but don’t take aspirin if you don’t want to have a little bruising.”
Earlier White House statements had offered the same explanation for the bruising. Photos from the start of the event showed no bruising on the left hand.
Speculation over Trump’s fitness has swirled, given his age — he is the oldest person to take office as president — as well as his hand bruising, leg swelling, and occasional apparent moments of dozing off during public appearances.
Last summer, the administration disclosed that Trump’s leg swelling had been diagnosed as chronic venous insufficiency, a condition in which faulty vein valves allow blood to pool, causing swelling, cramping, and skin changes. The condition can be managed with medication or targeted procedures.
An unannounced hospital visit last year added to public suspicion about the secrecy surrounding his health. Weeks later, Trump’s doctor stated that MRI imaging showed the president to be in “excellent” cardiovascular health.
