As Donald Trump clutched a custom football inscribed with his name and honored the Navy Midshipmen football team for its victory, the glittering championship ring on his left hand was not enough to draw the attention from the mysterious bruise that reappeared on his right hand.
This isn’t the first time people have noticed strange marks on President Donald Trump’s hand, sparking curiosity and concern about his health.
The buzz started earlier this year when photos surfaced from Trump’s meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron. The meeting, held on the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, became a trending topic – not for its political discussions, but because of a dark bruise-like mark on Trump’s right hand.
As soon as the images hit the internet, social media users were quick to comment, with many questioning whether this was a one-time incident or part of a larger pattern.
Following the press conference, the image quickly gained attention, with users on X (formerly Twitter) commenting on the apparent bruise.
One user wrote, “Scrolling Getty and couldn’t help but notice this photo of a huge bruise on Trump’s hand today.”
Another pointed out, “Some photos over the last few months show bruising on Trump’s hand… Always seems to be on the same hand.”
A third added, “That’s the kind of IV bruise you get when you’re on blood thinners. What are they pumping him with?”
Some speculated that Trump had attempted to cover the mark with makeup, pointing to a Getty Images description that mentioned the area being “covered in make-up.”
White House quashes rumors
At the time, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed concerns about the bruising. She attributed the mark to Trump’s high level of public engagement, particularly his habit of shaking hands with supporters.
Scrolling Getty and couldn't help but notice this photo of a huge bruise on Trump's hand today pic.twitter.com/LY9LFypsFF
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) February 25, 2025
“President Trump is a man of the people and meets more Americans and shakes more hands on a daily basis than any other president in history,” Leavitt said in a statement, per NBC.
She later reiterated this point, adding, “President Trump has bruises on his hand because he’s constantly working and shaking hands all day, every day.”
Then, in mid-March, the issue resurfaced when Trump was again photographed with a visible mark on his hand, prompting renewed speculation online.
‘Unlikely a handshake’
Experts weighed in on possible explanations. Speaking to The Mirror, Dr. Anatalia Moore, a skin specialist, disagreed with Leavitt’s handshaking theory.
“It is unlikely a handshake, unless done with such a grip that could cause pain, would cause a bruise.
“A deeper bruise on the hand in an older patient or someone of Donald Trump’s age would make me think firstly they had required some medical support that involved placement of a cannula, better known as a drip, into the hand. So, it indicates they could have had a medical procedure or hospital stay recently.”
She also suggested that “for many patients in their 70s – especially those who are not what we call a ‘fit 70’ – even a small bump against a doorframe can cause significant bruising.”
Return of the bruise
On April 15, the president welcomed the Navy Midshipmen football team to the White House, honoring their hard-fought victory in securing the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy. After outplaying both the Army and the Air Force, the team was recognized in a ceremony that highlighted their athletic dominance and unwavering military discipline.
“They’re not just great football players…they’re true American warriors,” Trump said in his address, clutching a football inscribed with his name.
But it wasn’t the trophy or the speech that caught the public’s attention – it was Trump’s right hand.
The greenish-yellow bruise – that looks like it was covered up by makeup – had made a dramatic return, sending the online community into overdrive.
Within minutes of the hand bruise reappearing, speculation exploded across social media like wildfire.
Mysterious large bruise reappears on Donald Trump's hand – as doctor claims to know worrying health reason behind it https://t.co/TwGH6TTGyD
— Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) April 17, 2025
Some users claimed the mark looked like one left by an IV needle, while others floated the idea that Trump might be receiving fluids for dehydration or possibly battling a vitamin deficiency.
‘Minor trauma’
Dr. Ola Otulana, a general practitioner in the UK, agreed with Dr. Moore’s earlier theory. Offering some professional insight, the doctor told the Daily Mail that the bruise appears to be “consistent with a superficial contusion.”
In “simple terms,” he clarified, the bruise is likely “resulting from minor trauma.”
“This could occur from something as everyday as bumping the hand against a hard surface, repeated pressure – for example from leaning on a cane or gripping something firmly – or even medical procedures such as venepuncture, or blood draw,” Dr Otulana explained, adding that bruising is “more prominent” in aging adults due to “thinning skin” and “more fragile blood vessels.”
Medications like Aspirin, blood thinners or anti-inflammatories, are known to “make bruises appear more easily and linger longer – which could be the case here,” Otulana said.