A familiar bruise on President Donald Trump’s right hand has resurfaced, raising questions once again about the 78-year-old leader’s health and adding fuel to speculation that began over a year ago. The noticeable discoloration was first spotted in the spring of 2024, during Trump’s Manhattan court proceedings involving adult film actress Stormy Daniels.
Since then, the bruise has made several public appearances, often explained by aides as a result of excessive handshaking. The mark was most prominent in February 2024, following a summit with French President Emmanuel Macron, when the White House claimed a packed schedule of greetings left Trump with a bruised hand.
It reappeared in April during a football presentation ceremony in Washington, D.C., when Trump was seen gripping a ball. Now, the bruise is back—visible during Trump’s recent appearance at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. There, while delivering remarks commemorating the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary, Trump used the platform to denounce Los Angeles rioters and promise to rename military bases, though his bruised hand quietly stole attention in accompanying photos.
Earlier this week, Trump nearly stumbled while boarding Air Force One. The next day, during a 42-minute interview with New York Post columnist Miranda Devine for the debut episode of the Pod Force One podcast, Trump lifted his hand during a rant about Joe Biden, revealing a brownish bruise under his knuckles—apparently concealed with makeup.
Devine later referenced the injury in her column, writing: “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.”
Medical experts agree the explanation is plausible—up to a point. Dr. Stuart Fischer, a New York-based internist, told the Daily Mail in February that aggressive handshaking, combined with age, could cause such bruises. He also mentioned osteoarthritis as a possibility, calling it a degenerative joint disease that could exacerbate the issue.
“I think it’s probably all of those things together,” Fischer said.
The Mayo Clinic notes that bruising can increase with age, but also warns that persistent marks could indicate underlying issues, such as blood disorders or clotting problems. Before flying to Fort Bragg’s Pope Army Airfield, Trump was seen in the Oval Office covering his bruised hand with his left while addressing reporters.
Upon landing, he shook hands with Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll and other military officials, continuing the same activity some believe is causing the injury. “President Trump is a man of the people,” said White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. “He meets more Americans and shakes their hands on a daily basis than any other President in history.”
In a separate statement to NBC News, Leavitt confirmed the bruise stems from “constantly working and shaking hands all day every day.” Trump has echoed similar sentiments himself, telling Time magazine in 2024 that the bruise resulted from “shaking hands with thousands of people.”
While Trump’s allies downplay the significance of the mark, scrutiny over presidential fitness continues to intensify, especially following revelations in Original Sin, a book by CNN’s Jake Tapper and Axios’ Alex Thompson. In it, sources claim there were internal discussions within President Biden’s team about preparing a wheelchair for his public appearances if re-elected.
As both presumptive nominees near 80, public interest in their physical health is certain to remain front and center. The White House has not yet commented on Trump’s latest visible bruise.