The White House tried to tamp down on speculation about President Donald Trump’s mysterious bruise Tuesday, attributing excessive hand shaking as the reason for the black-and-blue mark on the back of his dominant hand.
“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,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told the Daily Beast in a statement. “His commitment is unwavering and he proves that every single day.”
Leavitt additionally added to NBC News, “President Trump has bruises on his hand because he’s constantly working and shaking hands all day every day.”
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Trump, 78, previously parroted a similar sentiment when interviewed by Time magazine for their 2024 Person of the Year issue, explaining that a bruise on his right hand was from “shaking hands with thousands of people” when probed on it by the outlet.
The president’s bruise was visible during his meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron Monday, and swiftly drew rampant attention online as some questioned Trump’s health while others expressed concern.
The bruise appeared to be of considerable size and was seemingly covered with makeup.
In a December interview with NBC News’ Meet the Press last year, the president said he would release his full medical report but has yet to do so.
He has regularly touted that his health is in good condition, pointing to his golfing feats during his 2024 presidential debate with then-nominee former President Joe Biden as an indicator.
While Biden was the oldest ever president to serve in office, Trump is the oldest to be sworn into office.
