A meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron on February 24 not only generated political headlines but also sparked a lively debate on social media.
The reason? A large, visible bruise on the back of Trump's right hand.
After a close-up of the president's hand was shared online, users on X began speculating about the cause. While some suggested it was a minor injury, others questioned whether it signaled a hidden health issue.
One user on X wrote: “Why even lie? It’s clearly a bruise from a blood test or something. Is it a surprise to people that Trump is old and gets regular doctor visits?”
Another user was more skeptical: “The White House just said the mysterious makeup-covered bruise on Trump's right hand is because he 'shakes hands all day, every day.' Yeah, no. No, no, no. Turns out we're not nearly that stupid.”
The White House Responds
To quell the rumors, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed the speculation, attributing the bruise to Trump's tireless public engagement.
“President Trump is a man of the people, and he meets and shakes hands with more Americans on a daily basis than any other president in history,” Leavitt said. “President Trump has bruises on his hand because he’s constantly working and shaking hands all day, every day.”
However, rather than putting the speculation to rest, her statement only fueled further debate. Several social media users accused the White House of deflecting and concealing the real reason behind the bruise.
This is what Newsner writes .
Public Reaction
While many questioned the White House’s explanation, some users defended Trump, pointing out that older individuals are more prone to bruising from minor impacts.
One user wrote: “My husband had to shake hundreds of hands a day, and his hands got bruises too. It’s real.”
Another added: “That’s how some old people get bruises. My grandma experiences the same thing. It takes forever to heal.”
A Reminder of Past Health Controversies
The mysterious bruise has also reignited discussions about Trump’s medical history. In August 2024, the president stated that he would “be happy” to release his health records, but by October, he had backtracked.
“Yes, my health records—I’ve been examined five times in the last four years. You have them all,” Trump said at the time. “I’ve had my physicals, I’ve also taken cognitive tests twice, and I’ve done very well.”
As with many topics involving Donald Trump, opinions remain deeply divided. While some see the bruise as a potential health concern, others dismiss it as an overblown controversy.
You can see the mark in question below:
