Fresh bruises on Donald Trump's left hand have reignited speculation about the 79-year-old US president's health. During a ceremony on January 22 for his 'Board of Peace', a large blue bruise was visible on his hand, stretching from the knuckle of his middle finger to the base of his thumb.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt attributed the bruise to the president knocking his hand on a table during the signing event. Previously, she had claimed similar bruising was caused by "tissue damage from frequent handshaking", though the affected hand is not the one Trump typically uses for handshakes.
Health experts have noted that age and daily aspirin use could make Trump more prone to bruising. Pharmacist Thorrun Govind explained that as people age, skin becomes thinner and blood vessels more fragile, meaning minor knocks can cause noticeable bruises. However, he advised that repeated or unexplained bruising should be checked.
Concerns over Trump's mental competence also surfaced after he repeatedly confused Greenland with Iceland during a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. He said, "[NATO is] not there for us on Iceland... So Iceland has already cost us a lot of money," and later added, "until the last few days, when I told them about Iceland, they loved me."
Psychologist Dr John Gartner, a former Johns Hopkins professor, previously stated that Trump exhibits "the classic signs of dementia" in his rambling speeches, noting a deterioration from his articulate 1980s interviews. The White House has dismissed health concerns, with Trump's doctor recently claiming his heart age is 14 years younger than his actual age.
