Donald Trump’s right hand is once again drawing attention—this time for a recurring bruise that has been spotted at multiple public events. The mark was first noted at the Al Smith Dinner in October, resurfaced during a February handshake with Emmanuel Macron, and most recently appeared on April 15 while Trump, 78, presented the Commander-in-Chief Trophy to the Navy Midshipmen football team. Photos show the bruise on the back of his right hand, sometimes partially concealed by what appears to be makeup.
Speculation about its cause ranges from minor trauma and age-related bruising to more mundane explanations like gripping a cane or undergoing blood draws. Dr. Ola Otulana, a UK physician, noted that aging skin can make small bruises appear more dramatic. Trump’s team, however, has downplayed concerns, with press secretary Karoline Leavitt attributing it to the sheer volume of handshakes he performs.
Still, the bruise has fueled wider discussions about Trump’s health, especially given his age and recent public gaffes. His niece, Mary Trump, a psychologist and outspoken critic, has suggested the former president is showing signs of cognitive and psychological decline. She pointed to moments where he appeared disoriented, wandered offstage, or made incoherent remarks, questioning whether conditions like dementia could be at play.
While critics frame the bruise as part of a larger pattern of decline, Trump’s supporters dismiss it as overblown speculation. Yet, the recurring mark—and the viral attention it receives—underscores how even the smallest physical detail about the former president can dominate headlines and fuel debates over his fitness for office.
