Melania Trump seemed to conceal Donald Trump’s hand that has been the subject of speculation after a bruise was noticed earlier today. The US President and the First Lady were spotted walking hand in hand as they departed Air Force One shortly after landing in the UK this evening.
Trump’s bruised hand was not visible when he met UK officials on the tarmac before the couple proceeded to the helicopter, Marine One. The Trumps will now head to the US ambassador’s residence in central London from Stansted Airport. The US President touched down in the UK this evening for a second state visit where he will mingle with the Royal Family and the Starmers.
The bruising on his hand has sparked fierce debate in recent weeks following a series of public appearances, as well as absences, which fuelled speculation about his potential health decline. Trump became the oldest man to be sworn in as president at the age of 78 and has now reached 79.
The marks on his hand, which appear to be bruising, have been witnessed at various occasions. The White House has maintained the marks could be due to a combination of “frequent handshaking” as well as his use of aspirin, which has a variety of uses including as blood-thinning medication, reports the Mirror.
Trump’s doctor Sean Barbarella stated: “This is consistent with minor soft tissue irritation from frequent handshaking and the use of aspirin, which is taken as part of a standard cardiovascular prevention regimen.”
Moments before Trump boarded Air Force One, the president praised King Charles as a “friend.”
He added the King is “such an elegant gentleman” and added he “represents the country so well.”
Since 1952, there have only been three state visits by US Presidents, those being George W Bush in 2003, Barack Obama in 2009 and Trump in 2019.