People are talking again about Donald Trump’s health after some recent public appearances raised eyebrows. Photos of the 79-year-old president showed noticeable swelling in his ankles and what appeared to be makeup covering a bruise on his right hand. This happened during a July 15 press event, and it did not take long for the internet and media to start speculating.
According to The Daily Beast, this led to what’s being described as “emergency” medical testing, although Trump’s camp is downplaying the situation.
His press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, tried to calm the buzz on Thursday, telling reporters, “In recent weeks, President Trump noted mild swelling in his lower legs. In keeping with routine medical care and out of an abundance of caution, this concern was thoroughly evaluated by the White House medical unit.”
Leavitt added that Trump had been diagnosed with Chronic Venous Insufficiency, or CVI, a fairly common condition where blood doesn’t properly flow back to the heart from the legs, often due to damaged veins. Instead, it pools up in the lower limbs.
To check things out, Trump reportedly underwent a venous doppler ultrasound and an echocardiogram. According to Leavitt, the tests “confirmed normal cardiac structure and function.”
Still, this isn’t the first time questions about Trump’s health have popped up. From his love of fast food to his resistance to sharing detailed medical records, people have long speculated about his condition. Even though the Trump team continues to say he’s in “excellent” health, signs like swelling and bruising are hard for the public to ignore.
As for CVI, it’s not considered life-threatening, but it’s no walk in the park either. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, symptoms can include cramps, swelling, varicose veins, and even leg ulcers in more serious cases. “You would not check an ultrasound unless he had varicose veins or leg swelling,” explained Dr. Sherry Scovell, a surgeon at Massachusetts General Hospital, in an interview with The Washington Post. “In the absence of that, many people could be walking around with CVI.”
The condition is more common in people who are overweight, have high blood pressure, don’t exercise, or spend a lot of time sitting or standing. Sound familiar? Treatment usually includes compression stockings, leg elevation, and staying active. Surgery is only necessary for severe cases.
As for that bruise on Trump’s hand, which many noticed at the same press event, Leavitt told The Daily Beast that it was nothing serious—just “minor soft tissue irritation from frequent handshaking and the use of aspirin, which is taken as part of a standard cardiovascular prevention regimen.”
Medical experts also chimed in, saying bruises like that are often caused by IVs or blood draws, especially for someone taking blood thinners.
While the Trump team insists everything is under control, the images and the timing are fueling fresh questions about what a second Trump term could look like physically, especially as health remains a major issue in the 2024 campaign. After all, President Joe Biden is 81 and facing the same kinds of questions about age and fitness.
With both major candidates pushing 80, it’s no wonder people are paying closer attention than ever.