Donald Trump has sparked fresh health concerns after being photographed with a crescent-shaped mark on his left hand during the G7 summit in France. The 80-year-old US president, who celebrated his birthday on Sunday, was seen meeting other world leaders with the unexplained mark.
This comes after previous speculation over bruising on his right hand, which the White House attributed to a side effect of daily aspirin use. Administration officials also linked his swollen ankles to chronic venous insufficiency, a condition where leg veins struggle to return blood to the heart.
Mr Trump has faced scrutiny over his mental fitness in recent months, after instances of falling asleep in public and apparent memory lapses. A physical therapist claimed he displayed 'stroke-like' symptoms after mumbling during a televised Oval Office event earlier this month.
However, the White House and his medical team insist he is in 'perfect' health. His physician, Sean Barbabella, stated after a recent evaluation that Mr Trump 'remains in excellent health, demonstrating strong cardiac, pulmonary, neurological and overall physical function'. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt added that 'White House doctors are among the most elite physicians in the world'.
Critics question whether an 80-year-old can handle the pressures of the presidency. Democrat Rahm Emanuel told the New York Times: 'Somebody at 80 years old just doesn't have the physical stamina, the mental stamina for that office.'
Mr Trump himself expressed mixed feelings about his birthday, saying in a video: 'You don't have to wish me a happy birthday, because I'm not happy about that birthday. It's a number that I never thought really too much about. It's not a number I like, but I'm here nonetheless.'
