Earlier this year, Donald Trump made history by becoming the oldest person ever to be inaugurated as the President of the United States, taking office at the age of 77.
The former real estate magnate, now 79 years old, continues to serve in the highest office in the country. While some have raised concerns about his advanced age, Trump himself remains steadfast in claiming that his health is in top condition.
In fact, just a few weeks ago, Trump celebrated his 79th birthday, and his team has consistently pointed to his physical and mental health as evidence that he is fit to lead.
However, no one can escape the natural effects of aging, and recently, some aspects of his appearance have raised more questions than answers.
Most notably, there has been increased attention paid to the visible “wrinkling” of Trump’s hands, an observation that experts have highlighted as potentially significant.
Despite his critics’ concerns about his advancing years, Trump’s health has been closely monitored, and the reports coming from his medical team suggest that he is in good physical shape for his age.
In April, White House physician Dr. Sean Barbabella released a detailed health report claiming that Trump is physically capable of handling the duties of the Commander-in-Chief.
The report included thorough assessments of his height, weight, and the results of various tests on his eyes, ears, neck, throat, and heart, all of which showed no abnormalities. The report also revealed that Trump had undergone a colonoscopy in 2024, during which a benign polyp and signs of diverticulitis—an inflammation of the pockets in the colon—were discovered. Despite these conditions, the medical team decided that he would require a follow-up colonoscopy in three years. The physician also noted that Trump was on a regular medication regimen, including prescriptions for cholesterol, a cardiac prevention medication, and a topical cream for a “skin condition.”
A noteworthy aspect of Trump’s medical history is his past bilateral cataract surgery, which Dr. Barbabella included in the report, stating that the procedure did not raise any concerns regarding his overall health. In general, the White House physician’s report concluded that the president remains in “robust cardiac, pulmonary, neurological, and general physical function.” According to Dr. Barbabella, Trump’s “active lifestyle” is a key factor in maintaining his well-being, reinforcing the idea that he is physically fit to perform his presidential duties.
However, despite these reassuring reports, Trump’s increasing age has not gone unnoticed, particularly when it comes to certain physical signs, such as his bruised hands. Over the past year, Trump has been photographed multiple times with bruises on his hands, which some observers have linked to his age and physical condition. One of the most prominent instances occurred during his hush money trial against Stormy Daniels, where Trump’s dominant hand showed visible bruising. The marks were also noticeable during his meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in February.
White House officials have attempted to downplay the significance of these bruises and wrinkles, attributing them to the president’s busy schedule and his frequent handshakes with the public. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt insisted that the bruising was simply the result of Trump shaking hands with “more Americans” than any other president in history, arguing that this daily interaction was the likely cause. She stated, “His commitment to meeting with people is unwavering, and he proves that every day.”
Trump himself echoed this sentiment, stating in an interview for Time Magazine’s 2024 Person of the Year issue that the bruising on his hands was a direct result of shaking hands with “thousands of people.” While this explanation may seem plausible, social media users remain skeptical, and many have pointed to the bruises as signs of something more concerning. In June, before attending a Kennedy Center concert with his wife, Melania, Trump’s hands were once again a focal point of online discussion. Social media posts quickly noted the bruises, with one person commenting, “His hand really shows his age,” and another stating, “I notice the bruising on his hand.”
But is it possible that the bruising and wrinkles on Trump’s hands could be linked to something other than handshakes? According to Dr. Ola Otulana, a general practitioner from Watford, England, the bruising on Trump’s right hand appears to be a superficial contusion, likely caused by “minor trauma” such as bumping into something or pressure from gripping objects. Dr. Otulana explained that bruises in older individuals are often more noticeable because of “thinning skin” and “more fragile blood vessels,” which are natural consequences of aging. Additionally, medications such as blood thinners or aspirin—both of which Trump has been prescribed for cardiac health—can make bruising more common and persistent.
While Dr. Otulana reassured that the bruising did not raise any immediate medical concerns, he emphasized that such visible marks are to be expected in someone of Trump’s age. Bruising is simply a more common occurrence in older adults, particularly when combined with regular physical activity or medication. It’s worth noting that Trump’s medical report did not show any signs of serious health issues related to the bruises, and Dr. Barbabella’s conclusion was that Trump remains “fully fit to execute the duties of the Commander-in-Chief and Head of State.”
However, it seems that the president’s health remains a topic of much speculation. Recently, a viral image of Trump attending a UFC event raised new concerns among some social media users. The photo, which shows Trump standing with fighter Kayla Harrison after her bantamweight championship victory, sparked debate over whether the president was wearing a catheter under his suit. Some posts on platforms like X, Facebook, and TikTok questioned whether Trump’s pants bulged in a way that suggested he was wearing a Foley catheter—a device used to drain urine from the bladder. The image quickly became a point of contention, with one post stating, “Trump appears to be wearing leg braces and possibly a catheter,” and others speculating that his bruising could be a result of infusion therapy, common in patients with Parkinson’s disease.
While the post garnered significant attention, others defended Trump, arguing that the apparent bulge in his pants was simply a crease, not a catheter. One commenter clarified, “No, that pant leg is close-fitting, and that perfectly straight line is a crease. Foley catheters aren’t used unless post-surgical, and a walkie-talkie patient typically uses a self-cath or male pads.” While there’s no evidence to suggest that Trump is wearing a catheter, the viral discussion further reflects the ongoing scrutiny of his health, especially as he continues his second term.
Ultimately, while the bruises on Trump’s hands and other physical signs of aging have been widely discussed, medical professionals seem to agree that these are not necessarily indications of any severe health issues. Nonetheless, as Trump continues his presidency, the public’s curiosity and concern about his health remain a persistent theme, one that is unlikely to disappear any time soon.