The glistening championship ring on Donald Trump’s left hand was unable to distract from the enigmatic bruise that resurfaced on his right hand as he held a personalised football with his name and celebrated the Navy Midshipmen football team’s victory.
People have previously expressed interest in President Donald Trump’s health after noticing odd marks on his hand.
When images from Trump’s meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron appeared earlier this year, the commotion began. The meeting, which took place on the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, gained popularity because to a black bruise-like mark on Trump’s right hand rather than its political content.
Social media users were quick to comment on the photos as soon as they appeared online, with many asking if this was an isolated incident or a recurring pattern.
The photo immediately became popular after the press conference, with people commenting on the apparent bruise on X (previously Twitter).
“I couldn’t help but notice this photo of a huge bruise on Trump’s hand today while scrolling through Getty,” one person remarked.
“Some pictures from the past few months show bruising on Trump’s hand,” another person noted. appears to be on the same hand all the time.
“That’s the type of IV bruise you get when you’re on blood thinners,” a third person said. What are they using to pump him?
Citing a Getty Images description that stated the region was “covered in make-up,” some conjectured that Trump had tried to conceal the mark with cosmetics.
The White House denies rumours
Karoline Leavitt, the White House Press Secretary at the time, downplayed worries about the bruises. She credited Trump’s high level of public interaction, especially his practice of shaking hands with fans, for the rating.
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
According to NBC, Leavitt stated in a statement, “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.”
“President Trump has bruises on his hand because he’s constantly working and shaking hands all day, every day,” she added after reiterating her statement.
The problem then reappeared in mid-March as Trump was once more pictured with a noticeable mark on his palm, sparking fresh online rumours.
“Probably not a handshake.”
Experts offered their opinions on potential causes. Skin specialist Dr. Anatalia Moore expressed disagreement with Leavitt’s handshaking notion in an interview with The Mirror.
A handshake is unlikely to result in a bruise unless it is performed with a painful grasp.
An older patient or someone Donald Trump’s age would have a bigger hand bruise, which would lead me to believe that they first needed medical assistance that included inserting a cannula—also referred to as a drip—into their hand. Thus, it suggests that they may have recently undergone surgery or been admitted to the hospital.
Additionally, she proposed that “even a minor bump against a doorframe can cause significant bruising for many patients in their 70s – especially those who are not what we call a ‘fit 70’.”
The bruise’s return
In recognition of the Navy Midshipmen football team’s valiant effort to win the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy, the president invited them to the White House on April 15. The squad was honoured in a ceremony that emphasised their athletic prowess and strong military discipline after defeating both the Army and the Air Force.
While holding a football bearing his name, Trump declared during his speech, “They’re not just great football players…they’re true American warriors.”
The public’s attention was drawn to Trump’s right hand, not the trophy or the speech.
The online community went into overdrive when the greenish-yellow bruise, which appears to have been covered up with cosmetics, made a spectacular reappearance.
Soon after the hand bruise reappeared, rumours spread like wildfire on social media.
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
Some people speculated that Trump might be receiving fluids for dehydration or perhaps fighting a vitamin deficiency, while others said the mark appeared to be one made by an IV needle.
“Minor trauma”
UK general practitioner Dr. Ola Otulana concurred with Dr. Moore’s previous hypothesis. The doctor gave the Daily Mail some expert advice, stating that the bruise seems to be “consistent with a superficial contusion.”
He explained that the bruise is most likely “the result of minor trauma.”
Dr. Otulana clarified that bruising is “more prominent” in older adults because of “thinning skin” and “more fragile blood vessels.” “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 said.
Blood thinners, anti-inflammatory drugs, and aspirin are known to “make bruises appear more easily and linger longer – which could be the case here,” according to Otulana.
The speculation will continue until we receive answers!
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