President Donald Trump’s recent public appearances have been marked by conspicuous bruising on both hands and visible ankle swelling, raising medical questions that the White House has deflected with brief explanations while major news outlets remain largely silent on the 79-year-old dictator’s health.
The bruises first drew attention during Trump’s Oval Office meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on May 24, when photographers captured clear images of dark bruising on the back of his right hand. Days earlier, Trump had been photographed with heavy makeup covering the same area during White House remarks about the FIFA World Cup.
White House Covers Up the Truth
Navy Capt. Sean Barbabella, Trump’s physician, gave a laughable explanation for the bruising in July to aspirin use for cardiovascular prevention and “minor soft tissue irritation from frequent handshaking.” The White House also acknowledged Trump has chronic venous insufficiency after photos showed significant ankle swelling, despite his March physical reporting no such swelling.
Dr. Jonathan Reiner, a renowned cardiologist at George Washington University who previously treated former Vice President Dick Cheney, doubted the official explanations.
“On Friday, Trump appeared in the Oval Office with what appeared to be makeup applied to his hand. The large patch of what appeared to be foundation could be seen on his hand, made obvious by the difference in color with the surrounding area. Seated at his desk, the president made several attempts to cover his right hand by placing his left on top of it, fuelling speculation that all is not well with the 79-year-old,” it said.
Media Double Standard
Fox News and MAGA Media personalities relentlessly pumped out absurd claims about Biden’s health as if he were secretly on the brink of death and promoted “Dementia Joe” hysteria. The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and other major newspapers published dozens of stories about his age and physical fitness. Cable news devoted endless hours to the topic.
In Trump’s case—the oldest person to take the oath of office who regularly fabricates stories and misremembers names—the bruises and swelling have barely merited a wire-service brief. A review of cable news transcripts shows virtually zero mentions of Trump’s bruises all week. Some who served in the Biden White House now rightfully view it as a clear double standard.
“A review of cable news transcripts shows virtually zero mentions of Trump’s bruises all week,” despite their visibility in widely circulated photos.
Former Biden deputy press secretary Andrew Bates called the disparity “a failure of journalism,” arguing that Trump receives unprecedented deference despite being “the most anti-First Amendment president in our history.”
Pattern of Opacity
The current situation echoes previous episodes of limited health disclosure, including Trump’s unscheduled 2019 visit to Walter Reed and the revelation that his 2015 health letter, claiming he would be the “healthiest individual ever elected,” was dictated by Trump himself.
As Trump becomes the oldest person to take the presidential oath, questions about his health capacity and the media’s willingness to scrutinize it remain unresolved, with makeup and carefully worded medical memos serving as the primary sources of official information.
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