Concerns about US President Donald Trump’s physical health were finally addressed on Thursday as the White House confirmed he has been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency — a common yet generally benign condition affecting blood flow in the legs. The announcement follows weeks of public speculation after images surfaced showing the 79-year-old president with visibly swollen ankles and a bruised hand.
According to Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, the discoloration on Trump’s right hand was due to “tissue irritation from frequent handshaking,” compounded by daily aspirin use — a standard preventive measure for cardiovascular issues. The hand bruising had sparked viral commentary online, with some noting that the marks often appeared covered by makeup.
While President Trump recently declared himself in “very good shape” following a routine check-up, the new diagnosis has prompted fresh scrutiny, especially given that he is the oldest sitting president in U.S. history. His predecessor Joe Biden, who left office in January 2025 at the age of 82, faced similar health concerns during his final year in office.
White House physician Dr. Sean Barbabella emphasized that Trump “remains in excellent health” overall. He added that ultrasound imaging revealed chronic venous insufficiency, a condition in which damaged or weakened leg veins struggle to maintain proper blood flow, causing swelling and discomfort. Importantly, the tests showed no signs of deep vein thrombosis or arterial disease, which can be more serious.
Dr. Matt Heinz, an internist from Arizona, told AFP that the condition is “pretty common” among people over 70. He noted that age, gravity, and weight can all be contributing factors. “I know the president’s been losing some weight, though, so I think that’s probably a little better,” Heinz added.
President Trump’s appearance at the recent FIFA Club World Cup final in New Jersey drew attention when his ankles appeared unusually swollen. According to Leavitt, this prompted the medical team to conduct further tests “out of an abundance of caution.”
Despite concerns, no cardiac abnormalities or signs of heart failure were detected. The administration reiterated that the condition would likely be managed through conservative means such as compression stockings, increased physical activity, and continued weight control efforts. Invasive treatment such as prosthetic valves is not currently being considered.
Interestingly, this moment of transparency contrasts with past evasiveness. For months, White House officials downplayed questions about Trump’s health, attributing physical changes solely to “frequent handshaking.” But with scrutiny of presidential health now at an all-time high — especially after the health-related controversies surrounding Biden — the administration appears to be taking a more open approach.
As part of broader political discourse, Trump himself had previously accused the Democrats of hiding Biden’s physical and cognitive decline. Ironically, with this recent update, the same questions are now being turned toward the Republican president.
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This latest Donald Trump health update is unlikely to derail his position, but it reinforces the growing importance of transparency when it comes to leaders’ well-being — especially in an era where age and health are critical factors in global politics.
