Donald Trump Explains Why He Has a Bruise on His Left Hand – Photo

Before the president's explanation, the White House press secretary addressed similar bruising in February 2025. However, her different explanation was for the world leader's right hand…

On January 22, 2026, US President Donald Trump attended the 56th World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Photos and videos captured of him during the signing ceremony of the Peace Charter for Gaza displayed a hard-to-miss dark purple mark on his left hand.

While the contusion is certainly noteworthy, it's not the first time such a bruise has appeared on Trump's hands…

Cameras Zoom in on Mysterious Hand Bruise During Gaza Peace Charter Event

Trump arrived at the Davos summit under the bright lights of a world stage, a setting that suited both the gravity of the occasion and the stature of the leaders present.

As photographers captured him exchanging hushed words with fellow heads of state, like Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and later addressing the assembly from behind the presidential podium, his role in the landmark launch of the "Board of Peace" appeared central.

His speech covered sweeping geopolitical developments, from military triumphs to oil negotiations and ongoing international conflicts, underscoring his administration's global reach.

But amid the formalities and the historic unveiling of the Peace Charter for Gaza, attention was steadily drawn elsewhere: to the president's visibly bruised left hand, which, in sharp contrast to the polished atmosphere, sparked renewed scrutiny over his physical condition.

The discolored patch, deep in hue and stark against his skin, made multiple appearances during the day's proceedings, catching the eye in both candid moments and official photographs.

Trump Offers an Explanation

After the summit, during an informal press moment aboard Air Force One, Trump finally addressed the speculation surrounding the deep discoloration on his left hand. In response to a reporter's inquiry about the bruise and asking if he is okay, the president waved off concerns with a casual tone, offering a simple explanation.

"Very good," he said, gesturing toward his hand. "I clipped it on the table. So I put a little, what do they call it? Cream on it. But I clipped it." He went on to add, "I would say, take aspirin if you like your heart, but don't take aspirin if you don't wanna have a little bruising."

According to Trump, he takes "the big aspirin" as a preventive health measure, even recalling a doctor's assurance that he doesn't have to do so.

"The doctor said, 'You don't have to take that, sir. You're very healthy.' I said, 'I'm not taking any chances.' So anyway. But then that's one of the side effects of taking aspirin," the president divulged.

White House Spin vs. Trump's Tale: What's the Real Story?

What makes Trump's offhand remark particularly curious is how it stands in contrast to a previous statement made by the White House less than a year earlier.

In February 2025, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt had addressed a similar bruise — that time appearing on the right hand — after photos from a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron showed significant discoloration.

"President Trump is a man of the people," Leavitt had said, brushing off concerns. "His commitment is unwavering, and he proves that every single day."

She attributed the bruising to his nonstop engagement with the public, clarifying in a follow-up:

"President Trump has bruises on his hand because he's constantly working and shaking hands all day every [sic] day."

While both explanations aimed to dispel speculation, the mismatch — not just in cause but in which hand was bruised — has led to renewed questions about the president's health behind the scenes.

The Bruises Keep Coming... And So Do the Theories

Nevertheless, this isn't the first time visible bruising on the president's hands has sparked conversation — or concern. In fact, long before his recent appearance in Davos, similar markings had been noted on other occasions, fueling speculation about their underlying cause.

One particularly discussed instance occurred in April 2025 during a high-profile meeting with El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele.

The images from that encounter quickly made rounds online, prompting debate among observers and commentary from a medical professional, all of which suggests that the mystery behind Trump's bruised hands may run deeper than a mere bump against a table.

The president's meeting took place in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC. There, a photograph captured his hands clasped together, clearly showing the bruise. The following day, the mark was still visible as Donald Trump attended the presentation ceremony for the Commander-in-Chief Trophy, which is awarded to the Navy Midshipmen football team.

At the event, held in the East Room of the White House, Trump looked happy as he posed for photos with important individuals. He appeared alongside attendees like Navy Midshipmen head coach Brian Newberry and co-captains, linebacker Colin Ramos and fullback Daba Fofana.

What a Medical Professional Had to Say

The mysterious bruise on Trump's right hand was visible as the 79-year-old presented the trophy to the Navy Midshipmen. Dr. Ola Otulana, a general practitioner (GP) and physician at Cassiobury Court rehabilitation centre in Watford, England, has since offered some insights into the condition.

Describing the mark, Dr. Otulana said it appeared "consistent with a superficial contusion," explaining that, in "simple terms," it likely resulted from "minor trauma." The GP also noted this type of bruise can occur from bumping the hand against a hard surface.

Alternatively, he explained that repeated pressure could cause such bruising, like "leaning on a cane or gripping something firmly – or even medical procedures such as venepuncture, or blood draw." The doctor also pointed out that bruising is "more prominent" in older adults due to "thinning skin" and "more fragile blood vessels."

The physician added that medications like blood thinners, aspirin, or anti-inflammatories could worsen bruising. These medications are known to "make bruises appear more easily and linger longer – which could be the case here."

However, Dr. Otulana emphasized that Trump's apparent bruising "doesn't raise any immediate red flags." However, he added that if the bruise were to persist, spread, or be accompanied by other symptoms, then "further assessment would be sensible."

Netizens Weigh in on the Bruise

Reacting to images of the president's bruised hand, one individual speculated, "He's on aspirin for a blood thinner, just an after effect [sic] of a blood draw."

Another echoed the idea, "He's probably on so many blood thinners that this is inevitable. I have a family member of this age bracket and [sic] the wind blowing too hard bruises them. It is really late in the day for this guy."

Someone else remarked, "That bruise looks like his skin is dead in that spot." Another person guessed, "Its [sic] an IV bruise that has makeup applied to it. That's why it looks weird," while someone who claimed a similar experience observed, "The bruise looks to be topped with some sort of concealer or make up [sic] to hide the bruise."

Another netizen shared, "These two spots don't look like the rest of his skin, and do look like needle sticks. I have heart disease, my mom has heart disease, my sister has heart disease, that's to say I've been around * a LOT* of needle sticks. And my experience is [that] the hand is a last resort, and not someplace a nice healthy person with good veins gets stuck. [sic]"

One other person simply observed, "He's not healthy….," while another added, "Thin blood and thin skin."

White House Releases Trump's Physical Examination Results

On April 11, 2025, Trump completed his annual physical examination, and two days later, the White House released the results on its website, squashing any concerns.

The president's physician confirmed he oversaw the exam, which included consultations with "fourteen specialty consultants." The results showed that "The President remains in excellent health, exhibiting robust cardiac, pulmonary, neurological, and general physical function."

The report's summary concluded, "His active lifestyle continues to contribute significantly to his well-being. President Trump's days include participation in multiple meetings, public appearances, press availability, and frequent victories in golf events..."