Trump health fears erupt as ‘discoloured hand’ spotted | World | News

Health fears erupted once again for Donald Trump after many viewers of yesterday’s State of the Union noticed a discolouration on his hand. The 79-year-old US President appeared to have the mark partially covered with make-up as he delivered the high-profile speech.

The White House has previously played down concerns, saying the bruising is linked to frequent handshaking and his use of aspirin, a blood-thinning medication. The marks first attracted widespread attention last year after similar discolouration was repeatedly seen during public appearances. Officials have also confirmed the President was diagnosed in July with chronic venous insufficiency, a condition affecting blood flow from the legs back to the heart. Mr Trump has previously been seen with swollen ankles, though no shots of that part of his body were visible during the televised address. Speaking to The Wall Street Journal in January, Mr Trump said aspirin was used to thin his blood.

A White House spokesperson has also said the President meets large numbers of Americans each day and frequently shakes hands with the public.

Images of the President’s hand quickly circulated on social media, with users on X sharing close-ups taken during the televised address.

Some commenters mocked the situation, with one post joking that critics who had previously questioned Joe Biden’s health were now “discovering the value of privacy”.

Mr Trump has repeatedly dismissed concerns about his health and has previously said he has “aced” cognitive tests.

Previously, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the President “meets more Americans and shakes their hands on a daily basis than any other President in history”.

She added his commitment to the public was “unwavering” and demonstrated “every single day”.

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During a recent White House remembrance ceremony for “Angel Families”, relatives of people killed by undocumented migrants, the President delivered a lengthy address.

The speech drew criticism from some commentators, who described it as “rambling” and said he moved between unrelated topics.

This included shifting from comments about New York’s mayor to a major snowstorm before speaking to a woman in the audience about her eyesight.

Mr Trump was also recently pictured during an appearance connected to Josh Pate’s College Football Show, a US sports programme focused on American college football.

Images shared online showed his ankles exposed while seated, prompting some social media users to raise concerns about swelling.

According to the White House and medical assessments, Trump has swollen ankles due to chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), a common age-related, non-life-threatening circulatory condition.

This condition occurs when leg veins fail to effectively pump blood back to the heart, causing it to pool in the lower limbs.

Mr Trump also drew attention after appearing to cover his hand with a single glove during a recent public appearance, prompting renewed speculation online.

However, he later said the bruising was caused by a high dose of aspirin taken on medical advice to thin his blood.

In January, Dr Jonathan Reiner – a former cardiac doctor to Vice President Dick Cheney and now a CNN medical analyst – suggested the President appeared to fall asleep at his desk in a circulated image.

He said the behaviour could indicate excessive daytime sleepiness and recommended it should be medically evaluated.

The White House has consistently said medical tests found no evidence of serious illness.