WASHINGTON: Photographs of fresh bruises on Donald Trump’s hand raised eyebrows on Thursday, but the 79-year-old US president dismissed renewed speculation about his health, saying he had simply hit a table.
Trump has been seen with frequent bruising on his right hand since returning to the White House last year, often hiding it with bandages and make-up.
The White House has said it’s 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.
The pictures on Thursday at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, however, showed dark bruises in a similar place – but this time on Trump’s left hand.
The photos, taken while Trump was at an inauguration ceremony for his global “Board of Peace” initiative, quickly spread on social media.
“I cut it on the table,” Trump told reporters on Air Force One when asked about bruising, adding, “I would say take aspirin if you like your heart, but don’t take aspirin if you don’t want to bruise.”
The White House had previously played down any concerns, giving the same explanation for the blue mark.
Photos from early in the “Board of Peace” event and yesterday show no bruising on the left hand.
Speculation has swirled about Trump’s fitness given his age – he is the oldest person to take office as president – bruised hands, swelling in his legs and several apparent moments of dozing off at public events.
The administration revealed last summer that Trump’s leg swelling had been diagnosed as a symptom of chronic venous insufficiency — a common condition in which faulty vein valves allow blood to pool, causing swelling, cramps and skin changes.
It can be managed with medication or targeted procedures.
An unannounced hospital visit last year raised suspicions of secrecy surrounding his health.
Weeks later, Trump’s doctor said MRI imaging had shown the president was in “excellent” cardiovascular health.
