In an attempt to concentrate on the making of a deal to end the almost four-year conflict in Ukraine, President Donald Trump hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Mar-a-Lago on Sunday, December 28, 2025, the high-stakes encounter between the two world leaders instead turned into a revelation of an appalling physical fact: visible purple bruises and heavy makeup on both hands of the President.
The White House has been sustaining a particular story about the physical health of the President, over the last few months but these novel developments are raising immediate concerns of openness and the health of the 79-year old leader.
The Excuse of Handshaking fails to meet with success.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt tried to dispel rumors earlier this month by citing the bruise on Trump as a dark purple bruise on his right hand, which she said was the result of shaking a lot of hands in the course of her grueling schedule.3 she even said the bruise was literally a result of shaking hands, by saying the bruise came as a result of shaking hands.4
But the recent video of Mar-a-Lago recounts otherwise:
*Bilateral Bruising: The observers have first time observed discoloration of both left and right hands.
• Failed Concealment: The ugly-looking bruises were quite visible despite the heavy makeup applied to them when he appeared jointly with Zelenskyy.
• Contradictory Logic: users of social media, as well as medical observers, were quick to note that the theory of the handshaking does not support the fact the left hand, which is not usually the one actively used in formal greetings, is now displaying the same symptoms.
Medical Speculation: CVI to IV Therapy.
Although the White House has insisted that the President is in excellent health, independent observers and social media theorists have come up with several medical explanations:
1. Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI): CVI was reported to develop in July 2025 after the victim complained about leg swelling.5 It is a condition resulting in blood pooling in the extremities and may cause easy bruising.6 +1
2. Blood Thinners and Aspirin: Trump has already been confirmed by the white house physician to be taking aspirin as a cardiovascular regime which greatly exposes him to bruising due to slight contact.7
3. The IV Therapy Theory: Theories about bruises One of the most enduring platforms X (once Twitter) theories is that the bruises are track-marks or hematomas due to frequent intravenous injections. One of the users, @DontBotherKeiti, conjectured: When your right hand vein collapses, you must begin to tap the left.
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FAQs
Purple bruises on the back of hands in the elderly- what is the cause?
Common causes are actinic purpura (weak blood vessels as a result of the sun damage), taking blood thinners such as aspirin, or IV line medical procedures.
Is Chronic Venous Insufficiency severe?
Although it is usually not severe, it tells that the valves in the veins are not functioning correctly and thus causes the swelling, skin color and contributes to bruising.
Is the white house publishing a new medical report?
The final official report in April 2025 asserted that the President was completely fit, but it failed to explain the new bilateral bruising that had been observed at Mar-a-Lago.10.
Disclaimer:
The presented news material is referred to the available reports and credible sources. The readers are advised to triangulate the messages posted by the official news sources.