White House scrambles to explain president’s bruised hand and bloated ankles as medical concerns mount
President Donald Trump, 79, underwent emergency cardiovascular testing in recent days after his visibly swollen legs and bruised right hand ignited a firestorm of health speculation online and in Washington.
The White House confirmed Thursday that the president had been examined for what officials now describe as “chronic venous insufficiency,” a condition often linked to blood clots and poor circulation in aging patients. The announcement follows viral images of Trump’s swollen ankles captured as he attended the FIFA Club World Cup Final in New Jersey on July 13, alongside former First Lady Melania Trump and FIFA officials.
Critics say the Trump administration’s account doesn’t add up.
“First it’s a bruise from handshakes, then it’s aspirin, now we’re hearing about venous issues. This isn’t just PR spin — it’s full-on medical fog,” said Dr. Lena Marcus, a Johns Hopkins cardiologist who reviewed the president’s symptoms based on public footage. “Swelling in both legs at that age, especially in a sedentary male on aspirin, raises concerns about congestive heart failure or deep vein thrombosis.”
During Thursday’s tense press briefing, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt tried to downplay the swelling, reading a carefully worded letter from Trump’s physician.
“In recent weeks, President Trump noted mild swelling in his lower legs,” the letter read. “In keeping with routine medical care and out of an abundance of caution, this concern was thoroughly evaluated by the White House medical unit.”
The statement claimed the findings were “benign,” and attributed the bruising on Trump’s hand to “soft tissue irritation” from handshakes and aspirin use — a blood thinner often prescribed to those at high cardiovascular risk.
But medical professionals weren’t reassured.
“Aspirin doesn’t just cause random bruising unless your capillaries are fragile or your blood’s not clotting properly,” added Marcus. “There’s more to this story.”
This isn’t the first time the Trump team has tried to gloss over worrying signs of ill health. In 2020, Trump’s unscheduled visit to Walter Reed Medical Center was cloaked in secrecy for months. And despite turning 79 this summer, Trump has refused to release full health records since taking office in 2025.
“Transparency is nonexistent,” said Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD). “We have a president flying into campaign events while concealing major health evaluations from the public. That’s not democracy — that’s deception.”
The latest health concerns come at a critical time. Trump is currently on a multi-state tour promoting his controversial “Energy First” agenda and is scheduled to speak Friday at the Pennsylvania Energy and Innovation Summit. Just days ago, footage showed him stumbling slightly as he exited Marine One on the White House lawn — a clip that quickly went viral.
Medical experts warn that prolonged travel, heat, stress, and standing for long periods can worsen venous issues and related cardiovascular conditions — particularly in men approaching 80 with known risk factors.
Though the White House insists Trump remains in good health, murmurs about a possible 25th Amendment invocation — or at least formal cognitive and physical testing — have resurfaced in Washington circles.
“The American people deserve a president who is honest about their medical state,” said Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA). “At the very least, this administration must provide a complete and independent health report immediately.”
As of Thursday afternoon, Trump’s campaign has not addressed the health concerns directly. A brief statement from his team instead accused “liberal media hacks” of “spreading fear” and “doctoring photos.”
This is a developing story. More updates to follow.
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What's Up Team
This article is just another joke from nextgen news! How can people like Jamie Raskin keep a straight face while making comments about “transparency”concerning the president of the United States, after what we went through for 4 years with Biden?!? People like him should work on being LESS “transparent” in their hypocrisy!
Trump’s job requires too much sitting… he needs to do even more golfing… and without a power cart… also some tennis and jogging…
More deception like with that Senile Old f**t you hid for 4 years you little munchkin Raskin!!! That’s real deception there.
Do not wish them well needs to suffer like people he has hurt
No one with an I.Q.# higher than room temperature cares what you think! Did you comment on slow Joe’s mental deficiency?
It was fine that they lied abot Biden’s health keep it a secret. But with Trump they are lying. Give me a break
remember when biden stumbled? yall went all out. claiming he was too old, or that it was cuz he was in dementia. what goes around………………..
plus, only reason they’re explaining anything is cuz twitter was all over this crap, demanding answers. yall want answers about biden’s cancer & he’s no longer pres. think everyone doesn’t want to know the pres.’s health? biden’s health is no longer anyone’s business. but, trump’s is.
Most likely the DeepState is poisoning him.
Trump went on about Biden hiding his health concerns but now he is trying to lie about his?
We need a younger president, one up with the times. One out of the million dollar group. One who knows how the middle and lower class have to live. How the senior and middle age have to choose between medication or food. Taking so much of the desperately needed help away from us.
And why do we need separate parties? Aren’t we one country? Should we all not be one party, for the Americans? Should politicians not be on the same page, talking over what’s best for the countries people? We have so many people in the house, senate etc that are SO old they shouldn’t be there making decisions at their age. Those positions were not made to be a lifetime position. Even a president has a set term, why don’t they?
People need to really think about these topics. We need to get more honest people in government. There has to be more honest, uncorrupted people than the sad other types.
I just hope people start thinking of a better way to govern and live in this great country.
I served my country and would like to see a better one. Especially, for my children and grandchildren.
Cyndy
CUT WEIGHT NO MORE MEAT
One Party….Really? I served my country too, but to keep it where we have a choice not where Socialist, Communist or Nazism keeps there rich richer and has food lines that closes them Dow before the end of the line!!
Who watches or reads lame stream left wing media anymore.If they would lie about Biden for four years they will still lie about everything that Trump does. They are not to be believed or trusted anymore. And their ratings are still in the garbage can just like the Democrat party’s is. Only ones who believe that media anymore are the gullible die hard Democrats.
First off. Aspirin does not cause,swollen legs. Secondly bruises from shaking hands. Get real. Final comment that is,not his,wife,sitting next to him. Wake,up people.
There\’s Nothing to this…..it\’s already been reported about. The bruise on his hand is from shaking to many hands with ppl. The leg thing is nothing…it\’s benign.