Overview
- Photographs that circulated Monday showed visible discoloration and bruising on the back of the president’s left hand, a new development after earlier publicized marks were mainly on his right hand.
- The left-hand images have prompted renewed public and media attention even though the White House has not issued a fresh statement about the photos.
- A May Walter Reed medical exam by White House physician Sean Barbabella described dorsal-hand ecchymosis as “consistent with minor soft tissue irritation related to frequent handshaking” in the setting of aspirin use and recommended a lower aspirin dose.
- Mr. Trump has told reporters the mark came from hitting a table and that he takes a high-dose aspirin long term, and some reports say he resisted his doctor’s suggestion to switch to a lower dose.
- Clinically, aspirin thins the blood so small bumps can produce larger bruises and the president’s age plus a disclosed diagnosis of chronic venous insufficiency offer additional, benign explanations for visible hand discoloration while keeping scrutiny on presidential health transparency and possible updates to medical disclosures.