Donald Trump health fears soar as ‘heavy make-up’ spotted on hands | World | News
New photos from the White House on Friday (October 10) show Donald Trump once again covering up a large bruise with heavy make-up, reigniting fears about the US President’s health. The concealer was seen on the 79-year-old man’s right hand during a press conference in the Oval Office where he announced a deal with drugmaker AstraZeneca to lower drug prices.
Mr. Trump’s injury was first noticed weeks after the 2024 election, after he spent several months accusing his presidential rival Joe Biden of being too old and mentally foggy to occupy the Oval Office. Mr Trump became the oldest person to assume the US presidency when he reassumed the White House in January. Since then, he has maintained a busy schedule and his fondness for red meat. He plans to travel to the Middle East on Sunday, October 12, after brokering a ceasefire agreement in Gaza.
Donald Trump undergoes a physical examination at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center
Before the flight, Mr. Trump underwent a “semi-annual physical” at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Friday. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt described it as a “routine annual checkup,” although the president had his annual physical in April.
“I’m meeting with the troops and I’m also going to have physicals every six months,” Mr. Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Thursday. “I think I’m doing great, but I’ll let you know.”
The White House has refused to explain why Mr. Trump went for his annual checkup at the medical center in Bethesda, Maryland, just six months after his annual physical. But in a memo released by the White House on Friday, his doctor Sean Barbabella said the president was in “exceptional health” and “exhibited robust cardiovascular, pulmonary, neurological and physical performance.”
The president also received preventive health screenings and vaccinations, including annual flu and updated COVID-19 booster shots, in preparation for his upcoming international travel.
“His heart age, a validated measure of cardiovascular viability via ECG, was found to be approximately 14 years younger than his chronological age,” the statement said. But those notes largely failed to stem speculation about Mr. Trump’s health.
The bruise first attracted widespread attention in February when French President Emmanuel Macron hosted him at the White House. Despite efforts to hide it, the bruising reappeared several times throughout the spring and summer. This was seen in a video posted on social media on August 23 of the president playing golf with Roger Clemens; In this video, a color change could be briefly seen on the back of Mr. Trump’s hand. Two days later, he suffered a bruise on his right hand during a meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung in the Oval Office.
He also showed visible swollen ankles at the FIFA Club World Cup Final in New Jersey on July 13 and at a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, Alaska, on August 15.
Following intense speculation, the White House announced in July that the man had swelling in his lower legs and bruising on his right hand. In a letter published by the White House at the time, Dr Barbabella said tests confirmed the leg problem was caused by “chronic venous insufficiency” (CVI), a benign and common condition, especially in people over 70. The doctor said the bruising on Mr. Trump’s hand was consistent with mild soft tissue irritation from the frequent handshakes and aspirin use the president takes as part of his “standard cardiovascular prevention regimen.”
The note concluded: “SUMMARY: President Trump is in excellent health.”
