The White House pushed back against growing speculation about President Donald Trump’s health after multiple recent photos showed bandages and visible marks on his right hand. The images, which quickly went viral online, triggered fresh questions about whether the president was dealing with an undisclosed medical issue.
Addressing the concerns, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said there was nothing unusual about the marks. She explained that Trump has been greeting thousands of supporters at public events, fundraisers, and official meetings every week.
“The President shakes more hands in a single day than most people do in a month. Minor bandages are normal,” she said.
Leavitt also noted that Trump, who follows a daily low-dose aspirin routine as documented in past medical reports, may bruise more easily. This combination of constant physical contact and medication, she said, explains the repeated appearance of bandages.
Despite the clarification, social media users continued to circulate images, claiming the president was hiding deeper health issues. Some posts alleged makeup had been used to cover discoloration — claims the White House dismissed as baseless.
The renewed attention on Trump’s physical condition follows another widely discussed moment earlier this week when he appeared to lose his train of thought while speaking about the US Federal Reserve’s latest rate cuts. During the interaction, he paused mid-sentence and struggled with words, referring to the Fed chair as “a dead head… a stiff,” before moving on.
Clips of the moment spread rapidly, amplifying online debates about whether age is becoming a factor for the 78-year-old president. Trump later lashed out on his Truth Social platform, condemning major media outlets for what he called “a coordinated attempt to undermine a sitting president,” accusing them of pushing narratives that amount to “sedition.”
