Donald Trump was seen with a noticeable layer of makeup on his right hand on Friday as he left the White House, amid ongoing speculation about his health. The 79-year-old is believed to have used makeup to hide bruising on his hand on several occasions since returning to office, but the application appeared particularly thick during his visit to The People’s House museum.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt appeared to brush off concerns for the US president’s health, reiterating the stance that bruising is caused by handshakes. She said: “President Trump is a man of the people and meets more Americans, shaking hands daily, than any other president in history. His commitment is unwavering, and he proves that every single day.” Ms Leavitt has remained vague when questioned about Mr Trump’s health, especially regarding his swollen ankles and the bruising on his hand.
Last month, the White House disclosed that the president has been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), a condition common in people of his age.
The condition has symptoms such as skin issues, swelling and bloated ankles.
His physician said: “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.”
Last week, when asked about meeting with Mr Trump’s doctor, Ms Leavitt said it was “certainly something we can look into” and insisted there was “nothing to hide”.
Details regarding any treatment plan or lifestyle changes, including the potential use of compression socks to manage his swollen ankles, remain undisclosed.
The combination of visible bruising and unanswered questions continues to fuel scrutiny of the president’s overall health.
Earlier this month, Mr Trump appeared to forget the name of the Atlantic Ocean during an interview on Fox and Friends, referring to it vaguely as “a big, beautiful ocean”.
He also mistakenly claimed he was travelling to Russia for a meeting with Vladimir Putin, when in fact the summit was set to take place in Alaska.