Fresh photographs showing bruising on US President Donald Trump’s hand sparked renewed speculation about his health on Thursday, but both Trump and the White House played down any concerns, attributing the marks to minor causes.
Images taken at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, showed dark bruises on Trump’s left hand as he attended an announcement ceremony for his global “Board of Peace” initiative. The photos quickly circulated on social media, prompting questions about the 79-year-old president’s wellbeing.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump dismissed the attention, saying he had simply hit his hand on a table. “I clipped it on the table,” he said, adding a characteristic aside: “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.”
The White House echoed earlier explanations, saying the bruising was due to a combination of Trump’s frequent handshaking and his regular use of aspirin for cardiovascular health.
Aspirin is known to increase the tendency to bruise by thinning the blood. Officials noted that photographs from earlier in the Davos event, as well as images from the previous day, did not show bruising on the president’s left hand.
Trump has previously been seen with bruises on his right hand since returning to office last year, often covered with bandages or makeup. Those instances also drew public attention and online speculation.
Questions about Trump’s health have persisted given his age — he is the oldest person ever to assume the presidency — as well as visible leg swelling and reports of him appearing to doze off during public events.
Last summer, the administration disclosed that the leg swelling was linked to chronic venous insufficiency, a common condition caused by faulty vein valves that can lead to swelling and discomfort but is generally manageable.
An unannounced hospital visit last year further fueled speculation. Weeks later, Trump’s physician said MRI imaging showed the president to be in “excellent” cardiovascular health, seeking to reassure the public amid ongoing scrutiny.
