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By Kate Plummer
Senior US News Reporter
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Photos of U.S. President Donald Trump with a bandaged hand have attracted scrutiny on social media as commentators continue speculating about his health.
Writing on X, people shared images of Trump with a bandaged hand and speculated about why the bandage might be there. Trump and his medical team have consistently maintained that the President is in good health but commentators have queried the veracity of that claim.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told Newsweek: "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."
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Why It Matters
Age was a key theme of debate in last year's presidential election. Trump often criticized his opponent, President Joe Biden, as being too old to lead. At 79, Trump became the oldest person sworn in as president at the beginning of his second term and his term thus far has been dogged with scrutiny about his health and energy levels, though he has maintained he is in rude health.
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What To Know
Images of Trump's bandaged hand circulated on social media. Journalist Aaron Rupar wrote: "Trump had some hefty bandages yesterday on the back of right hand, the same one that is often discolored."
Nick Mark, a physician with 66,000 followers wrote: "I was skeptical at first but the pattern is unmistakable: it definitely seems like Trump is getting a monthly IV infusion."
Poker and Politics, an account with over 17,000 followers wrote: "The handshakes are getting so brutal that now Trump needs Band-Aids to cover up. The bruising rather than using make up. Somebody really needs to tell Trump to lay off the handshakes before this gets worse."
It follows a recent New York Times report which claimed his schedule is less packed than in his first term and that he shut his eyes during a White House event. Trump has disputed that report, saying last month that he had a "perfect physical exam and a comprehensive cognitive test (that was aced)."
In July, amid the circulation of photos of Trump with bruises on his hands, the White House announced that Trump had been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). His doctor described this condition as "benign and common."
CVI is a condition in which the veins in the legs are unable to efficiently return blood to the heart. It is not life-threatening. The White House and Trump's doctors also said the bruising was because of Trump's frequent handshaking.
On Monday, the White House revealed details about Trump's October MRI scan, calling the results "perfectly normal."
According to a summary from Physician to the President Sean P. Barbabella, advanced cardiovascular and abdominal imaging was conducted as a preventive measure common for men in Trump’s age group.
What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social in response to the Times article: "There will be a day when I run low on Energy, it happens to everyone, but with a PERFECT PHYSICAL EXAM AND A COMPREHENSIVE COGNITIVE TEST ("That was aced") JUST RECENTLY TAKEN, it certainly is not now! GOD BLESS AMERICA & MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!"
What Happens Next
As his presidency continues, Trump's political opponents will continue to scrutinize his health.
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