Donald Trump’s hands have been stealing the spotlight lately, and not for a new handshake style. Sharp-eyed internet sleuths noticed fresh bruises on his hands during recent public appearances, and the pictures quickly went viral. The first dark mark showed up on his right hand earlier this summer, covered with makeup, only fueled more curiosity. Then, just weeks later, a new bruise popped up on his left hand while he was golfing, raising even more questions.
The White House insists the marks are nothing alarming, just the result of frequent handshakes and Trump’s daily aspirin use, which makes bruising easier. “President Trump is a man of the people and he meets more Americans and shakes their hands on a daily basis than any other President in history. His commitment is unwavering and he proves that every single day,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told the Daily Beast.
At 79, that explanation does make sense; older skin is thinner and more fragile. Still, skeptics point out that CVI ( chronic venous insufficiency ), the condition doctors confirmed in July, usually affects the legs, not the hands, so it’s unlikely to be related. Most recently, a fresh bruise on Trump’s left hand appeared during a golf outing, with no makeup cover-up this time. This, paired with continued handshaking explanations, has puzzled many observers (“Why the left hand?” was a frequent reaction).
Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI)
Back in mid-July 2025, the White House confirmed that Trump, now 79, was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) after doctors noticed some swelling in his ankles. Medical staff ruled out more serious issues like deep vein thrombosis or arterial disease. His echocardiogram came back normal, and he was pronounced “in excellent health” by his physician Sean Barbabella.
CVI is basically when blood pools in the legs because vein valves aren’t working properly. It’s common in older adults and more of a quality-of-life issue than a dangerous condition. Treatments include compression stockings, leg elevation, and lifestyle tweaks.
Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI) symptoms primarily affect the legs and range from mild discomfort to more severe skin changes and ulcers. Common symptoms include:

• A feeling of heaviness, tiredness, aching, or fatigue in the legs, especially after prolonged standing or sitting.
• Swelling in the lower legs, ankles, or feet, which often worsens throughout the day.
• Pain or cramping, particularly when standing, which usually improves with leg elevation.
• Tingling, burning, itching, or “pins and needles” sensations in the legs.
• Visible varicose veins or twisted, swollen superficial veins.
• Skin changes such as discoloration (reddish-brown color), dryness, scaling, or thickening of the skin.
• In advanced cases, slow-healing ulcers or wounds, especially near the ankles, which can become infected.
• Other skin issues may include redness, irritation, or a leathery texture known as lipodermatosclerosis.

Of course, when you’re president, even a small bruise can spiral into speculation about bigger health concerns . Some think the cover-ups made things look worse than they are. That hasn’t stopped the internet from buzzing about Trump’s bruised hands.