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NEED TO KNOW
- President Donald Trump’s hand bruise was fully visible for the first time on Aug. 25
- The bruise, first noticed in February, had been concealed by makeup for much of his second term in office
- The White House previously claimed the bruise, which has been the subject of intense internet speculation, was due to “shaking hands all day everyday”
Donald Trump’s hand bruise is completely visible for the first time.
After months of attempting to cover a large, dark bruise on his right hand with makeup, the president was seen throughout his various engagements on Monday, Aug. 25, with the bruise unconcealed.
The shift comes after a weekend of heightened public scrutiny online over the White House’s efforts to hide the contusion for the bulk of Trump’s second term.
In previous months, Trump attended public appearances with makeup over his bruise, which still stood out because the concealer didn’t match his skin tone. However, for his Monday meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, the bruise — spanning a large portion of the back of his right hand — was plain to see.
Later on Monday, Trump signed a series of executive orders, during which he mostly shielded his right hand from view by keeping it under the desk or beneath his left hand. Yet, when speaking about American progress in outer space and holding up orders, Trump’s hand gestures offered a clear look at the dark purple area.
Celal Gunes/Anadolu via Getty; Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty
The bruise was first spotted in February beneath a layer of makeup.
After seeing speculation from the public and receiving questions from the media, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt claimed the reason for the bruising was because Trump was “shaking hands all day every day.”
White House physician Sean Barbarella shared a note in July elaborating on the president’s bruising, stating that it is “consistent with minor soft tissue irritation from frequent handshaking and the use of aspirin, which is taken as part of a standard cardiovascular prevention regimen.”
Barbarella concluded that Trump “remains in excellent health.”
Despite brushing aside the public’s concerns, the White House continued to apply makeup over his bruise for months to partially mask its visibility.
Since the bruise was first noticed, the American public has theorized about what it could mean regarding Trump’s broader health, with many demanding more transparency from the administration.
In recent days, as a new picture of Trump’s semi-covered bruise circulated online, internet users began popularizing a range of theories, from skin cancer to routine IV therapy for an undisclosed medical condition.
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Others suggested that it could be related to Trump’s recent July diagnosis of chronic venous insufficiency, after he was spotted with apparently swollen ankles.
The White House has not addressed any further speculation about the bruise since offering its explanation.
