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By Kate Plummer
Senior US News Reporter
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Photos appearing to show a hole and discoloration on President Donald Trump's hand have attracted scrutiny on social media as commentators speculate about his health.
Writing on X, people shared images of Trump, 79, and claimed he had a "hole" in his hand. Trump and his medical team have consistently said the President is healthy, despite online speculation, and that he sometimes wears bandages on his hands because he is "constantly shaking hands" through his daily duties.
Newsweek reached out to the White House to comment on this story outside of normal business hours.
Read More on Politics
Why It Matters
Age was a key theme of debate in 2024's presidential election and Trump often criticized his opponent, President Joe Biden, as being too old to lead. Trump was 78 when he was sworn in for his second term in January, making him the oldest person ever inaugurated as president. During his term so far, he has been dogged with scrutiny about his health, which he maintains is good.
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What To Know
Writing on X, journalist Aaron Rupar shared images of Trump outside his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida on Sunday, where he had been meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
He wrote: "There appears to be a hole in Trump's left hand." In another post, he added: "Trump looked pretty rough today -- note that both of his hands are discolored."
In a third post, Rupar noted: "Not only was Trump's right hand discolored on Christmas Eve, but it appears his left hand is now discolored too."
The account Polling USA, which has over 139,000 followers, wrote: "My personal prediction is that he's not going to be here in a years time."
Bill Madden, an American musician, wrote: "Trump, with right hand caked with makeup to hide the bruising, is once again trying to conceal the fact that he is rotting away before our eyes."
Democratic strategist Adam Parkhomenko wrote: "Can't use the right hand anymore. Docs had to switch hands."
The scrutiny comes amid near constant questions about the president's health. In July, the White House announced that Trump had been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), a non life-threatening condition in which the veins in the legs are unable to efficiently return blood to the heart. Trump's doctor described this condition as "benign and common."
Meanwhile, earlier this month the White House revealed details about Trump's October MRI scan, calling the results "perfectly normal."
What People Are Saying
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt previously told Newsweek: "President Trump is a man of the people and he meets more Americans and shakes their hands on a daily basis than any other President in history. His commitment is unwavering and he proves that every single day."
Sean Barbabella, the president's physician, said in a July memo: "The president underwent a comprehensive examination, including diagnostic vascular studies. Bilateral lower extremity venous Doppler ultrasounds were performed and revealed chronic venous insufficiency, a benign and common condition, particularly in individuals over the age of 70."
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