The discovery of a bruise on former President Donald Trump’s hand has stirred up discussions about his health. While the White House has addressed the concerns, a physician has also provided his perspective.
During a meeting on February 24 with French President Emmanuel Macron, Trump and Macron had an awkward handshake, which led observers to notice a bruise on Trump’s hand. This prompted many to take to social media, buzzing with questions about its cause.
Answering these speculations, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt explained that President Trump is known for his frequent interactions with the public.
She stated, “President Trump engages with more citizens through handshakes than any president before him, showing his dedication to the nation every day.”
Leavitt further clarified that, essentially, the bruising was a result of his constant engagement with the public through numerous handshakes.
Despite this reasoning, some users on social media were unconvinced. They speculated that the bruising might be typical for someone of Trump’s age rather than indicative of a health issue.
Dr. Stuart Fischer Weighs In
Dr. Stuart Fischer, a New York-based internal medicine physician, provided insight, noting that as individuals age, their blood vessels become more fragile. Consequently, something as innocent as an assertive handshake could lead to bruising, especially on older skin.
Dr. Fischer also introduced the possibility of osteoarthritis, a common condition in individuals over a certain age, which could contribute to the formation of bruises.
Healthline describes osteoarthritis as a progressive joint disease characterized by joint pain, stiffness, and inflammation, affecting millions of Americans.
In Dr. Fischer’s assessment, Trump’s bruise could very well be due to a combination of age, possible osteoarthritis, and lifestyle factors.
Even though the issue might stem from natural aging, concerns remain prevalent among Americans, echoing similar worries they had with President Biden’s age during his tenure.
President Biden, who assumed office at 78 years old, faced scrutiny about his age impacting his cognitive abilities. Instances like ending a speech with “God Save the Queen” fueled such questions.
Donald Trump has promised to release his full medical report as of December 2024, yet the emergence of this recent bruise has only intensified the call for transparency regarding his health.
As public interest grows, the dialogue between transparency, health, and age remains a hot topic in the ever-watchful eye of political and public spheres.
Doctors raised concerns after a bruise on US president Donald Trump’s hand appeared in photos. The marks were seen after he met with French president Emmanuel Macron at the White House on Monday, when the two leaders discussed the conflict in Ukraine, reported Daily Mail.
What are the possible causes of the bruise?
According to White House spokesperson, the bruise was probably caused by shaking hands with hundreds of individuals throughout Trump’s campaign and public responsibilities, reported Daily Mail.
However, doctors have indicated that there could be more to it due to Trump’s age. Trump is 78 years old, making him the second-oldest president in US history; his age could be the cause of the injury, as per the report.
Doctor Stuart Fischer, an internal medicine doctor in New York, said that the bruise may be the result of osteoarthritis, reported Daily Mail. Osteoarthritis results in the deterioration of cartilage and bone in the joints, making the skin weaker and more susceptible to bruising, as per the report. He also said that if Trump has osteoarthritis, then it would not only lead to bruising but also puffiness and swelling in the hands.
Could it be from an IV or blood draw?
While doctor Neal H. Patel, an internist and primary care doctor at Providence St. Joseph Hospital in California, offered another explanation, that the bruise might have been caused by an IV injection or blood draw, reported Daily Mail. He also said that IV needles sometimes damage the wall of the veins, leaking blood into surrounding tissues, as per the report.
However, doctor Fischer went on to clarify that “the bruise is not in the right place” for it to be from an IV, as there are not enough veins there, as quoted by Daily Mail.
Is handshaking responsible?
Though some social media users suspected that Trump’s prolific handshaking may have been the culprit behind the bruise, both doctor Fischer and doctor Patel dismissed this hypothesis. doctor Patel said, “I see a lot of patients who are businessmen, and I’ve never really seen them getting bruising from too much handshaking,” as quoted in the report.
Doctors say it’s not an emergency
Despite the alarming appearance of the bruise, both doctors emphasized that the bruise isn’t a sign of a major health condition. According to doctor Fischer, “I definitely don’t think it’s any kind of emergency,” as quoted by Daily Mail.
FAQs
Could the bruise be linked to Trump’s age?
Yes, as Trump is 78 years old, his age could make his blood vessels more fragile and prone to bruising, according to doctor Stuart Fischer.
Is the bruise a sign of something serious?
No, both doctors agree that while the bruise looks concerning, it doesn’t suggest a major health issue or emergency.
