Trump’s Hand Bandages Spark Health Concerns; White House Issues Clarification:

The White House on Thursday responded to growing questions about the bandages recently seen on President Donald Trump’s right hand. Photos and videos from the past week showed small bandaged spots on his hand, sparking speculation online about the president’s health. Addressing the issue, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt explained that the bandages were simply the result of Trump’s extremely frequent handshaking during public events. Leavitt told reporters that the president meets thousands of people during his travels and appearances, which often leads to minor injuries or skin irritation. “As for the bandages on the hand, we’ve also given you an explanation for that. The president is literally constantly shaking hands,” she said. She also mentioned that Trump takes a daily aspirin, a routine that had been disclosed in his previous medical examinations. According to her, aspirin can increase the likelihood of bruising, which might explain the marks some people noticed online. The explanation came after several social media posts highlighted what users described as “bruises” on Trump’s hand. Some users also speculated that makeup was being used to cover the marks. These discussions added to an already growing conversation about the president’s health, especially as he is the oldest person ever elected to the office. Trump, however, has repeatedly insisted that he is in excellent condition and has compared himself to his predecessor, Joe Biden, claiming that Biden struggled with his abilities during his final years in office. A separate moment on Wednesday also reignited questions. While speaking to reporters about the recent Federal Reserve interest rate cuts, Trump appeared to freeze briefly before continuing his sentence. The short pause quickly went viral on social media, with critics raising concerns about whether it signaled a health issue. In his remarks, Trump said, “We’re scheduled to be at 4%, which is pretty amazing because we have a, er, you know, a dead head—fed… fed hair… I mean, this guy… the head of the Federal Reserve is a stiff.” The awkward phrasing and hesitation were widely shared online, further fueling speculation. In response, Trump posted a lengthy statement on Truth Social on Tuesday night. In it, he defended his health and sharply criticized news organizations for publishing stories about his physical condition. He called such reporting “sedition, maybe even treason,” and claimed the media was intentionally trying to mislead the public about his fitness for office. Trump has often used similar language to push back against reports he believes are unfair or politically motivated. The White House also pointed to the president’s medical history to reassure the public. Trump underwent a medical check-up in October that included an MRI scan. His doctor at the time reported that the president was in “excellent health,” noting no major concerns. The administration says these findings, along with Trump’s active schedule, should put to rest any doubts about his condition. Despite the official explanations, speculation on social media has continued, as often happens with public figures—especially presidents. For now, the White House appears determined to address these questions directly, hoping to prevent misinformation from spreading further. Whether the reassurances will calm the public conversation remains to be seen, but officials insist there is nothing unusual about the president’s health.

NEWS