Social media lit up over the weekend after journalist Aaron Rupar posted several images of Trump leaving his Mar-a-Lago estate following a private meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
In the close-up shots, a darkened mark appeared on Trump’s left hand — and in some frames, users claimed it looked like a small puncture or indentation.
“There appears to be a hole in Trump’s left hand,” Rupar wrote on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. “Trump looked pretty rough today — note that both of his hands are discolored.”
there appears to be a hole in Trump's left hand https://t.co/NCXHJkVJRK pic.twitter.com/CXtfylU8Eo
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) December 28, 2025
By Monday morning, the photos had been viewed millions of times, with the phrase “Trump’s hand” trending across multiple platforms. Some users speculated about health problems, while others accused critics of overreacting.
Questions about Trump’s health have followed him since his reelection in 2024, when he became the oldest person ever sworn into office at 78. His frequent public appearances — often marked by heavy makeup and visible bandages — have fueled online chatter that the White House has repeatedly brushed off.
In July, Trump’s physician, Dr. Sean Barbabella, revealed the president had been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), a non-life-threatening condition that affects blood flow in the legs and can cause bruising or discoloration. “It’s benign and common, particularly in people over 70,” Barbabella wrote in a public memo at the time.
The White House followed up earlier this month with details of Trump’s October MRI, calling the results “perfectly normal.”
Still, the new photos have reignited questions. “Can’t use the right hand anymore. Docs had to switch hands,” Democratic strategist Adam Parkhomenko posted on X. Musician Bill Madden added, “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.”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed the online frenzy as “nonsense,” telling Newsweek earlier this year, “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.”
As of late Monday, the administration had not issued an updated statement on the photos.
The renewed focus on Trump’s appearance comes as age and health remain flashpoints in American politics. During the 2024 election, Trump frequently attacked then-President Joe Biden as being “too old and frail to lead.” Now, critics argue that Trump is facing the same scrutiny he once weaponized.
“Trump made Biden’s age an issue,” said Democratic strategist Maria Cardona. “But now that he’s 79 and showing signs of wear, the irony is catching up.”
Whether the mark on Trump’s hand is a medical issue or simply a minor injury remains unclear. What’s certain is that the images have once again thrust his health — and transparency about it — into the national spotlight.
Source: Newsweek, X posts by Aaron Rupar, White House briefings, and physician statements.
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It’s a crucifixian hole? Check the other hand and his feet? I knew there was something special about this guy?
More dishonest NextGen nonsense…
Make something out of nothing, that’s what this is.
OMG….if he had a ZIT on his nose, they would be saying that’s an indication he’s “rotting away”….SMH…
It could be a bite from a mosquito, or a small scratch…The Dems want to make SOMETHING out of NOTHING!
Ok let’s get this hand crap over. I think the lefts media hoaxes are really stupid. The left freaks out over him at every turn. But hypocritical of our President Trump is beyond belief. For years they lied for the autopen boy administration. Yet not a word about last administration and their corruption, am I wrong? President Trump is walking circles around democrat so called President’s and they democrats are mad no more piggybank. Media bias is fueled by democrats lies and as others say, follow the money. President Trump hasn’t lied to us. Democrats only lie. Go back and look what I am talking about with Bush’s, Clinton’s, Obama’s, Biden’s, Pelosi, Schumer, Schiff, Nadler, Liz Cheney and father, Eric Holder, Judges, DA’s, Lawyers, media, Rino’s and many more who have lied to the American people over and over. Democrats have proven to all of us how low they will stoop to attack President Trump. Hypocrite’s all of them. One example is this thing with due process. Ok first of all the left gave no American due process for J6 Americans. Now they have got right judges making sure illegals get it. What hypocrites. Paying people to lie about President Trump is just stupid when democrats are paying these people. True Americans can not and will not be bought off by these anti American scumbags.