President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron have had some awkward handshakes in the past, but their most recent encounter has sparked a flurry of speculation about the current state of Trump’s health.

On Feb. 24, the 78-year-old Republican met with French President Emmanuel Macron in the Oval Office to discuss their shared efforts to end Russia’s war in Ukraine. Prior to their press conference, the two leaders struggled to properly shake hands for nearly 12 seconds, according to The Daily Mail. However, their awkward greeting wasn’t what caught the most attention. Photographers focused on Trump’s right hand, which appeared to have a large brown bruise with yellow discoloration around it. Journalist Aaron Rupar was the first to notice the unusual mark on the president’s hand.

“Scrolling Getty and couldn’t help but notice this photo of a huge bruise on Trump’s hand today,” he penned in a post shared via X Monday. 

Social media has a ton of theories.

Social media users flocked to the comments section with all sorts of theories about the president’s hand, with many noting that it looked like an “IV bruise.”

“He may be getting IV injections of B12 [I] read that somewhere,” one user wrote. 

Another X user claimed that the huge bruise could be from blood thinners. 

“That’s the kind of IV bruise you get when you’re on blood thinners. What are they pumping him with?” writer, Heather Thomas, commented. 

Some speculated that bruising is common for Trump, pointing to photos from recent times as well as older ones where he can be seen with bandages and bruises. Social media user @Loubelle attributed the mysterious mark to Trump’s age. 

“When you are older, your skin begins to thin, and even hitting your hand on just about any hard surface will cause this…”

Loubelle’s comment aligns with information from the Mayo Clinic, which notes that some people bruise more easily than others. As individuals age, their skin naturally becomes thinner and loses some of the protective fatty layer that helps cushion blood vessels, making them more prone to injury. Certain medications and supplements can also contribute to easier bruising by affecting the blood’s ability to clot. Some examples include Aspirin, Ibuprofen, and anticoagulant medications such as warfarin (Jantoven), dabigatran (Pradaxa), and rivaroxaban (Xarelto.)

However, as expected, internet conspiracy theories emerged with alternative explanations. One user suggested the bruise might be a result of Trump using weight loss medications like “Wegovy or Ozempi.”

“I’m sure he is under the close care of a cardiologist,” the person added.

Upon looking at the ridges and yellow tinge of Trump’s nails, another social media goer wondered if the businessman-turned-politician had hypothyroidism, a condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones or an autoimmune issue. 

Others pondered if the Republican was “hiding” a serious medical condition. 

“Is Trump hiding a medical condition? Is this why he wouldn’t release his medical records?” comedian Gabe Sanchez commented.

It’s a valid question. The last time Donald Trump released a medical report was in 2018, following a physical exam conducted by Dr. Ronny Jackson, a Congressman and White House physician, according to a 2024 ABC News report. The exam revealed that Trump had high cholesterol, a high body mass index, and rosacea, a chronic skin condition that causes facial redness or flushing.

 

This isn’t the first time Trump’s hands have sparked public interest. 

On Jan. 15, a series of red marks on the former reality TV star’s hand raised questions and ignited discussions online. The marks were first noticed as he waved to supporters in New York, but by evening, they seemed to miraculously disappear. Dermatologist Dr. Doris Day told Inside Edition in an interview shared on Jan. 19, that the marks could have been blisters from golfing. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Trump explained that the marks were the result of a paper cut, with blood from the wound smudging onto his fingers, but the President never personally confirmed what truly happened. 

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