US President Donald Trump has been diagnosed with a chronic but non-serious vein condition, the White House confirmed Thursday, following public speculation over visible bruising on his hand and swelling in his legs.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the 79-year-old president was found to have chronic venous insufficiency, a common condition in older adults, after reporting “mild swelling in his lower legs” in recent weeks.
“The discoloration noted on President Trump’s right hand is due to frequent handshaking and the use of aspirin as part of a standard cardiovascular prevention regimen,” Leavitt told reporters.
Trump, who began his second term in January after defeating Joe Biden in the 2024 election, is the oldest person in U.S. history to assume the presidency. Biden, 82, left office earlier this year.
Despite his age, Trump often touts his physical stamina and maintains an active schedule, including regular rounds of golf. His administration recently shared a promotional image portraying him as Superman.
In April, Trump declared himself in “very good shape” following a routine check-up. However, online speculation intensified after images of his visibly swollen ankles at the FIFA Club World Cup final in New Jersey went viral. The bruising on his hand had also drawn attention in recent weeks.
In response, Leavitt said Trump had requested the release of a physician’s note to “promote transparency.”
She explained that Trump underwent a comprehensive medical evaluation, including ultrasound imaging, which confirmed the diagnosis of chronic venous insufficiency — a benign condition where leg veins struggle to circulate blood effectively.
“Importantly, there was no evidence of deep vein thrombosis or arterial disease,” Leavitt said, adding that Trump’s cardiac function was normal and there were no signs of heart failure, kidney issues, or other systemic illness.
Regarding the bruising, she reiterated “This is a well-known and benign side effect of aspirin therapy. The president remains in excellent health.”
The White House had previously deflected questions about Trump’s bruised hand, attributing it solely to the physical demands of frequent handshaking.
Presidential health has long been subject to intense public scrutiny, and that attention has only heightened in recent years as both Trump and Biden became the two oldest individuals to serve in the role.
Trump’s administration has in turn intensified its criticism of Biden, accusing the previous White House of concealing the former president’s physical and cognitive decline.
Biden’s health was a major issue in the 2024 race. Following a widely panned debate performance against Trump, Biden withdrew from his re-election campaign.
Congressional Republicans have since issued subpoenas to several of Biden’s aides, including his personal physician, as part of an investigation into his mental fitness while in office.
Trump has also claimed—without evidence—that Biden’s use of an autopen to sign official documents indicated he was unfit to lead. The mechanical device, which replicates a signature, has long been used by U.S. presidents and other top officials.
Biden was diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer in May. He has dismissed concerns about his mental sharpness and maintains that he could have won a second term if he had stayed in the race.
AFP
