The White House has offered an official explanation for the recurring bruise on the back of President Donald Trump’s right hand, a mark that has repeatedly drawn public attention over recent months. The latest sighting occurred Tuesday as the 79-year-old boarded Marine One en route to Pittsburgh.
Trump, photographed waving to reporters outside the White House, appeared to be wearing a noticeable amount of flesh-toned concealer over the back of his right hand. While addressing questions about Russian President Vladimir Putin, cameras zoomed in, once again highlighting the now-familiar discoloration.
The mystery surrounding the bruise began in February, when it was first spotted during a meeting between Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron. The mark returned in April during a Commander-in-Chief Trophy ceremony in Washington, D.C., where Trump was seen holding a football, again revealing the darkened area.
Despite speculation about potential health concerns, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt assured reporters there is no medical cause for concern. She attributed the bruising to the president’s famously active routine of greeting supporters.
“President Trump is a man of the people, and he meets more Americans and shakes their hands on a daily basis than any other President in history. His commitment is unwavering, and he proves that every single day,” Leavitt told The Daily Beast. She echoed similar remarks in an earlier statement to NBC back in February.
Trump himself addressed the issue last December in an interview with Time, describing it as a byproduct of his highly interactive political style. “It’s from shaking hands with thousands of people,” he said.
Right-wing columnist Miranda Devine also commented on the repeated bruising in a recent article. “He will endure constant bruises on the back of his hands from well-wishers showing their gratitude with vigorous handshakes that he reciprocates warmly, even though he’s a renowned (maybe reformed) germaphobe,” she wrote.
To further ease public concern, the White House released a full presidential health report in April. According to the document, Trump is in good health, with “normal health function” and “blood flow to his extremities unimpaired.” It also confirmed that his joints and muscles show “no swelling,” and while there is some “minor sun damage” to the skin, no “concerning lesions or growths” were identified.
While the recurring bruise continues to spark curiosity and speculation, the White House maintains it’s nothing more than the result of enthusiastic, repeated handshakes—a side effect, they suggest, of a president deeply engaged with the public.