President Donald Trump’s right hand, appearing bruised and coated in makeup, was visible during a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the NATO summit in Ankara on Tuesday. Photographs captured tightly framed images of his clasped hands, showing the back of his right hand noticeably darker than the surrounding skin, suggesting the use of concealer.
The recurring discoloration has become a subject of persistent scrutiny, fuelling concern over the president’s health. Similar bruising, often paired with visible cosmetic coverage, has been documented in recent months, including during a UFC event at the White House in June and after a meeting with coal miners in February. Some photos also show markings on his left hand.
The White House has attributed the marks to constant handshaking. In a statement, spokesperson Davis Ingle said: “President Trump is the sharpest, most accessible, and energetic president in American history. The President 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 physician Dr. Sean Barbabella echoed that assessment, citing “minor soft tissue irritation related to frequent handshaking” while on aspirin therapy, which Trump takes as a preventative measure against cardiovascular issues.
Following his most recent medical exam in May, Trump wrote on Truth Social that “everything” had “checked out PERFECTLY.” However, scrutiny has extended beyond his hands, with observers noting swelling in his ankles and instances during official meetings when he appears to keep his eyes closed for prolonged stretches. CNN medical analyst Dr. Jonathan Reiner said in May: “The president has severe daytime somnolence. He falls asleep very often… chronic insomnia is a severe illness.”
A White House spokesperson dismissed such comments, saying: “So-called medical professionals engaging in armchair diagnosis or false speculation for political purposes are clearly breaking the Hippocratic Oath they’ve sworn to.” According to a June Quinnipiac survey, 59 percent of U.S. voters think the administration is not being transparent about Trump’s health.
