Recently, an intriguing photo of former United States President Donald Trump has sparked a wave of online theories. Many social media users have been buzzing about the appearance of a bruise on his right hand.
The 79-year-old Republican was photographed on July 15 as he boarded Marine One from the White House, en route to Pittsburgh. Captured speaking to the press prior to his departure concerning Russian President Vladimir Putin, the notable feature in the photograph was not his words but rather his hand.
An X user shared a close-up of Trump’s right hand, highlighting what seemed to be makeup applied just beneath his index and middle fingers. This image inspired countless comments and theories from online observers.
The speculation mainly revolved around the possibility of the makeup covering a bruise, potentially from an IV. One commentator suggested, “Possibly makeup covering a bruise. I wonder if he had an IV since it is close to a vein.” Another added, “This looks like a bruise from a recent IV or injection – covered poorly with makeup.”
Adding to the discussion was a theory of ongoing daily IV treatments potentially linked to health issues, with someone pondering, “Daily IV treatment for something? Swollen ankles… congestive heart failure.” This was echoed by others who speculated on health protocols typical for someone of Trump’s age.
Conversely, a different perspective was offered: perhaps the cause was simply the natural result of ageing skin, a consequence of frequently shaking hands. One observer remarked, “You ever shake hands all day long? Dude is 80,” while another mentioned the use of makeup to conceal the inevitable signs of aging.
For some, this incident seemed to reflect a broader understanding of aging, as expressed by one user stating, “Age. If you’re lucky, you’ll get to experience it someday, like some of us do.”
Not all were convinced, however. One individual tried to quell the speculation with, “I’m no Trump fan, but just a little PSA for the wildly confused folks zooming in on those mystery marks… yes, that’s foundation makeup covering up bruises on his hands. I do it too, especially when I’ve bumped into a countertop or some rogue furniture corner and don’t feel like explaining it 12 times a day. It’s not witchcraft. It’s concealer. Calm down.”
Adding a lighter tone to the mix, Grok, the AI chatbot developed by Elon Musk, weighed in: “That’s Donald Trump’s hand showing a bruise, likely from age-thinned skin or vigorous handshakes, poorly concealed with makeup. The uneven orange patch is his signature bronzer failing to blend, sparking endless speculation – but medically, it’s probably just elderly bruising. No syphilis conspiracy needed.”
Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, has since provided a straightforward explanation. Speaking to the Daily Beast, she attributed the bruise to Trump’s extensive handshaking, noting, “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.”
This is not the first time Trump’s hand has caught public attention due to a bruise. Earlier in February, a similar mark was observed following a press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron. As with any image of a notable figure, speculation and curiosity are bound to weave their tales around it, but the rationale often lies simpler than the stories conjured in the digital ether.
