WASHINGTON: Photographs of fresh bruising on Donald Trump’s hand raised eyebrows on Thursday, but the 79-year-old US president dismissed fresh speculation about his health, saying he had simply touched a table.
Trump has been seen with frequent bruises on his right hand since returning to the White House last year, often concealing them with bandages and makeup.
The White House said this was due to a combination of frequent handshakes and the aspirin he takes for his cardiovascular health, which can lead to a tendency to bruise easily.
However, photos taken Thursday at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, showed dark bruising in a similar location – but this time on Trump’s left hand.
The images, taken as Trump attended the inaugural ceremony of his global Peace Council initiative, quickly spread on social media.
“I hung it on the table,” Trump told reporters on Air Force One when asked about the bruising, adding: “I would say, take an aspirin if you love your heart, but don’t take an aspirin if you don’t want to get little bruises.”
The White House had previously played down any concerns, giving the same explanation for the bruise.
Photos taken at the start of the “Board of Peace” event and yesterday show no bruising on the left hand.
Speculation is rife about Trump’s physical condition, given his age — he is the oldest person to take office as president — bruised hands, swollen legs and several apparent moments of drowsiness at public events.
The administration revealed last summer that the swelling in Trump’s leg had been diagnosed as a symptom of chronic venous insufficiency — a common condition in which faulty venous valves allow blood to pool, causing swelling, cramping and skin changes.
It can be managed with medications or targeted procedures.
An unannounced hospital visit last year added to suspicions of secrecy surrounding his health.
A few weeks later, Trump’s doctor said MRI imaging showed the president was in “excellent” cardiovascular health.
