‘What happened to his hands?’ Donald Trump’s annual physical results offer explanation for his ‘bruises’

Remember how social media, the global political circle — and media, in general — went beserk when Donald Trump, the US President, appeared on camera with discolored hands? People have spent months dissecting the bruises on Trump’s hands.

Social media has been flooded with close-up photos of odd marks and discoloration, and the rumors started flying. Was it makeup? Circulation problems? Something the White House wasn’t saying?As he nears his 80th birthday, every little health detail grabs attention.And now, at least officially, there’s an answer. The latest physical exam released by the White House says the bruises come from a combo of two things: Trump’s habit of shaking a lot of hands, and his regular use of aspirin to prevent heart problems.

What does the report say?

According to People, here’s what the report, which came straight from his doctor after a checkup, was released on May 29, says: it may be called “minor soft tissue irritation.” The report was prepared by White House physician Capt. Sean Barbabella, after a comprehensive medical evaluation at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, and it characterized those bruises as a benign side effect rather than a sign of a serious underlying condition.

Want a simpler version? Basically, aspirin thins your blood. That helps cut down on heart attacks and strokes, but it also means it’s a lot easier to bruise. Slam that together with constant handshakes at events, and you end up with visible patches.According to Barbabella, the bruising is actually consistent with the effects of regular aspirin use, particularly in someone who frequently shakes hands during public events.

Are these bruises new?

This isn’t the first time the White House has given that explanation. Back in 2025, when the bruises first showed up, they pegged it on handshaking and the aspirin. Now, the new physical doubles down on that and adds the details to a wider overview of Trump’s health.Trump has even talked about this himself, saying he sometimes takes more aspirin than doctors want just to keep his blood thin. Sure, standard advice is to stick to a recommended dose, as too much aspirin means more bruising and bleeding, but Trump, as usual, has his own mind and does things his own way.Of course, the bruises are only one part of the constant spotlight on his well-being. At 79, Trump holds the record as the oldest person ever inaugurated as President of the United States. People have commented on visible signs: swollen ankles, a rash on his neck, and moments of fatigue. So, the annual physical examination is highly necessary to cover all the bases.

What about Trump’s overall health?

According to the exam, doctors say his heart, lungs, nerves, and even cognitive abilities are in the clear.

He does still have some lower-leg swelling (chronic venous insufficiency, which is something they discussed last year), but apparently it’s getting better. No new major problems in the labs or the scans, and last year’s cardiovascular imaging looked fine, too.Now, the reality is, presidents don’t have the option to look anything but perfect. High-res cameras, TV, and the internet examine them 24/7, so what’d be a non-issue for anyone else turns into endless speculation.

And with age front and center in American politics, every molehill becomes a mountain, as the inevitable aftermath.The bottom line here? White House says there’s no hidden condition here. It’s handshakes, it’s aspirin, and that’s the story the doctors and their people are, and have been, sticking to. As of now, the bruises have a pretty ordinary explanation, not the medical drama the internet theorized and speculated.