Is Trump using makeup to hide bruises?

A bruise on Donald Trump’s right hand has once again stirred curiosity after it was spotted during his meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung at the Oval Office on Monday.

As the two

leaders sat across the Resolute Desk, Trump kept his left hand placed over his right, almost as if trying to hide the mark, a deep, black-and-blue patch, while addressing reporters.

This comes just days after Trump was photographed on Friday with his hand noticeably covered in makeup. The foundation, however, didn’t quite blend with his skin tone.

Trump was photographed with his hand noticeably covered in makeup. The foundation, however, didn’t quite blend with his skin tone. File image/AP

But this time, the mark was clearly visible, drawing even more attention and sparking fresh conversation about the president’s health.

Here's what's going on

Trump’s health under scanner

For months now, questions have swirled around the fitness of the 79-year-old US President, even though Trump himself insists he is in top shape, famously calling himself “the healthiest president that’s ever lived.”

But when it comes to the bruises on his right hand, the White House has been quick to dismiss any major

concern. Earlier in July, Physician Dr Sean Barbabella and press secretary Karoline Leavitt attributed the marks to something far less alarming: a mix of Trump’s famously vigorous handshakes and his daily use of aspirin, a common preventive for heart health.

“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,” Leavitt said.

US President

Donald Trump (left) and Russia's President Vladimir Putin shake hands before attending a joint press conference after a meeting at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki. File image/ AFP

Dr Barbabella echoed this explanation in a White House letter, saying the bruise was “consistent with minor soft tissue irritation from frequent handshaking and the use of aspirin, which is taken as part of a standard cardiovascular prevention regimen.”

Adding to that, Trump has been diagnosed with chronic

venous insufficiency, something Barbabella described as “a benign and common condition, especially among individuals over the age of 70.” Tests confirmed there was “no evidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or arterial disease.”

This isn’t the first time Trump’s health has made headlines. Last month, photographs showed him with noticeably swollen ankles.

Swollen ankles at the World Cup
Bruised hand at today’s press availability.

Is the Trump administration hiding the President’s health?

Where is @jaketapper? pic.twitter.com/SRo0bpJReK

— Maine (@TheMaineWonk) July 15, 2025

Addressing those concerns, Barbabella noted in his letter that Trump had reported “mild swelling in his lower legs” and, “out of an abundance of caution, this concern was

thoroughly evaluated by the White House Medical Unit.”

What is chronic venous insufficiency?

Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is a condition where the veins in the legs have trouble pumping blood back to the heart.

As explained by the National Library of Medicine’s MedlinePlus, this happens when the valves in the leg veins become weak or damaged, causing blood to collect in the lower limbs instead of flowing upward as it should.

According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, CVI affects

an estimated 10 per cent to 35 per cent of adults in the US, and the chances of developing it rise significantly after the age of 50.

The condition is especially common among older adults and those with certain risk factors, such as prolonged sitting or standing, obesity, or a family history of vein problems.

Chronic venous insufficiency can cause a range of symptoms, many of which tend to worsen after long periods of standing or sitting.

According to the Cleveland Clinic,common signs of CVI include

aching or cramping in the legs , heaviness or fatigue, particularly after standing for extended periods, swelling, especially around the ankles, itching or tingling sensations in the legs and Visible skin changes, such as thickening, discolouration, or the development of varicose veins.

How serious is the CVI?

Chronic venous insufficiency is typically considered mild, but its severity can progress over time if not properly managed.

Left untreated, the condition can lead to a variety of symptoms such as

persistent swelling, leg cramps, skin changes, ulcers, and the formation of varicose veins—enlarged, twisted veins that often appear just beneath the surface of the skin.

"Chronic venous insufficiency is not a serious health threat. But it can be painful and disabling," notes Johns Hopkins Medicine on its website.

Trump has not addressed the bruises himself. The president, however, recently joked that his odds of going to heaven were currently low, but he was hoping the Ukraine peace deal would help him get there.

"I hear I'm not doing well -- I hear I'm really at the bottom of the totem pole! But if I can get to heaven, this will be one of the reasons," he had said.

With input from agencies