This is not the first time the president has been seen with a bruise on his hand, with each instance prompting public concern.
U.S. President Donald Trump dismissed renewed attention after he was spotted on Thursday, January 21, with a bruise on his left hand. As with previous occasions, the mark sparked discussion, though Trump later explained.
Trump Blames Table Collision – For Mysterious Mark
The 79-year-old said the bruise resulted from bumping a table at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, and noted that applying cream to it made the mark more noticeable. He told reporters aboard Air Force One that his aspirin routine makes him prone to bruising.
Netizens quickly took to social media to react to the sight of Trump’s hand. One asked in disbelief, “What has happened to Trump’s hand?” Another person expressed confusion and concern, “What’s going on???”
Aspirin Loyalty and ‘Good Genetics’ Defy Doctors’ Advice
Trump, the oldest man to assume the presidency in the U.S., has shown signs of aging both in public and in private, according to those close to him. Yet he has sometimes ignored his doctors’ advice and dismissed widely accepted medical recommendations. Instead, the president has relied on what he describes as his “good genetics.”
Trump said that his doctors have suggested that he lower his high daily dose of aspirin. However, he has chosen not to change his routine, noting that he has been taking the same dose for 25 years. “I’m a little superstitious,” he said in an interview with the Wall Street Journal.
The president added, “They say aspirin is good for thinning out the blood, and I don’t want thick blood pouring through my heart. I want nice, thin blood pouring through my heart. Does that make sense?”
Trump’s doctor, Navy Captain Sean Barbabella, said he takes 325 milligrams of aspirin daily for “cardiac prevention,” though it is unclear whether that reflects a higher dose.
A past Bruise Sparked Similar Speculation
In February 2025, Trump was also seen with a large, noticeable bruise on his hand. Press photos from his meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron showed a dark mark covering much of the back of his right hand.
The area appeared as if makeup had been applied in an attempt to conceal it for the photos. When asked about the bruise, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, “President Trump has bruises on his hand because he’s constantly working and shaking hands all day every day.”
She added, “President Trump is a man of the people. His commitment is unwavering, and he proves that every single day.”
Official Health Records Paint a Picture of Stability
During the campaign, Trump voluntarily released health updates from his personal physician, along with detailed reports from Dr. Ronny Jackson, who treated him after the first assassination attempt. All of these assessments concluded that he was in excellent health and fully fit to serve as the Commander in Chief.
In April 2025, after he had taken office, Trump underwent a medical evaluation at Walter Reed Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland. These results also showed that he was in strong overall health.
The report noted that, in addition to aspirin, he was taking several other medications. These included rosuvastatin and ezetimibe for cholesterol control and mometasone cream for his skin as needed. All required vaccinations, including travel-related immunizations, were up to date.
His medical history also detailed past surgical procedures, including an appendectomy at age 11 and bilateral cataract surgery. The evaluation highlighted that he had well-controlled hypercholesterolemia, seasonal allergies, and a prior COVID-19 infection.
He also had well-managed rosacea, actinic keratosis, benign nevi, diverticulosis, and a benign colon polyp. His cardiac, neurological, pulmonary, and general physical functions were all performing well.
The examination included a thorough neurological assessment. Trump showed no signs of depression or anxiety. He achieved a perfect score on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, a widely used screening tool for early cognitive decline.
The report concluded that the president remains in excellent condition and is fully capable of carrying out the responsibilities of his office.
Despite repeated assurances about his health, Trump’s bruises continue to raise questions about his well-being. In December 2025, he appeared at the 48th Kennedy Center Honors gala with a band-aid on his right hand.
The adhesive strip was small, ordinary, familiar — and yet it became a spark for speculation, concern, and commentary. What it revealed wasn’t just the state of his health, but the intensity with which we monitor the people we place at the center of power.
Multiple Appearances, One Detail Everyone Noticed
Trump and the First Lady arrived at the Kennedy Center Honors in coordinated black evening wear, looking polished and composed. But what drew instant focus online wasn’t the tuxedo or the gown — it was the band-aid on the back of Trump’s right hand.
The curiosity had actually begun two days earlier, when Trump attended the FIFA World Cup 2026 Draw on December 5, 2025. In a particular photo, viewers fixated on what looked like a similar bandage, and some noticed what they described as swelling or bruising.
So when the Kennedy Center images dropped, the reactions merged into one continuous conversation. Online, people began narrating what they saw in real time.
Some observed the basic fact with comments like “Big bandaid on right hand,” while others reacted with alarm, exclaiming, “OMG 😳 He’s wearing a bandaid!!!” A few zoomed in closer, insisting that “His hand is all swollen.” “Can he look more uncomfortable?!!!!” added someone else.
From there, theories grew more detailed, with individuals suggesting, “Looks like he’s got a band-aid on there. Bruising and swelling looks [sic] consistent with regular IVs/canulas being fitted. Doesn’t seem to be a temporary treatment.”
Such moments didn’t emerge in a vacuum. During a Cabinet meeting days earlier, Trump had been seen with two larger band-aids on the same hand and what appeared to be makeup applied over bruising — briefly revealed when he lifted them from beneath the desk — which only intensified the sense of pattern.
What the White House Said
Trump eventually responded to the speculation directly, saying, “I had one day where I didn’t do a news conference. ‘Is something wrong with the president?’ You people are crazy. I’ll let you know when something is wrong […] But right now, I think I’m sharper than I was 25 years ago, but who the hell knows.”
The White House followed with clarifying statements from Trump’s physician, Dr. Sean Barbabella, who described the markings as “a well-known and benign side effect” of aspirin therapy, and “consistent with minor soft tissue irritation from frequent handshaking.”
Trump has chronic venous insufficiency, a common age-related condition that can cause swelling in the extremities, but according to health updates in recent months, Trump “remains in excellent health.” Nonetheless, speculation among netizens that all might not be what it seems refuses to let go.
His most recent physical in October 2025, however, included an MRI scan, which, until recently, had not been publicly acknowledged.
During a press briefing held in December 2025, White House Press Secretary Leavitt shared that Trump had undergone a “preventative” procedure consisting of “advanced imaging” of both his cardiovascular and abdominal systems.
“The purpose of this imaging is […] to identify issues early, confirm overall health, and ensure he maintains long-term vitality and function,” it reads.
