WASHINGTON D.C., United States — The White House announced on Thursday that U.S. President Donald Trump is experiencing a chronic vein condition, addressing days of public speculation fueled by photographs showing bruising on his hand and swelling in his legs.
According to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, President Trump recently underwent a “comprehensive exam,” including vascular testing, after noticing swelling in his legs. Leavitt explained that the bruised appearance of Trump’s hand was consistent with “tissue damage from frequent handshaking” compounded by his use of aspirin, which she noted is “part of a standard cardio-vascular prevention regimen.”
Trump, 79, has frequently asserted his robust health, once famously describing himself as “the healthiest president that’s ever lived.”
The president’s recently diagnosed condition is identified as chronic venous insufficiency. This occurs when the veins in the legs fail to effectively pump blood back to the heart, leading to blood pooling in the lower limbs and subsequent swelling.
Dr. Meryl Logan, an assistant professor of vascular surgery at the University of Texas at Austin, explained that veins and their internal valves are designed to “propel the blood up and out of the leg” and back toward the heart.
She elaborated, “So what chronic venous insufficiency is, is when those veins and valves don’t work and blood goes backwards down the legs.” The upward flow of blood from the legs against gravity inherently makes this process challenging.
Leavitt assured the public that tests revealed “no evidence of deep vein thrombosis or arterial disease” and that all results from the examination were “within normal limits.”
A note from White House physician Sean Barbabella, released to reporters, further corroborated this, stating the condition is “benign and common,” particularly in individuals over the age of 70. Dr. Barbabella’s note also confirmed that additional testing showed “no signs of heart failure, renal impairment, or systemic illness” in President Trump. Overall, the physician concluded that Trump remains in “excellent health.”
Photographers had captured images appearing to show Trump’s swollen legs during the FIFA Club World Cup final in New Jersey on July 13. Subsequent photos taken earlier this week depicted bruising on his hands during a meeting with Bahraini Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa at the White House.
Similar bruising on the president’s hand had also been previously observed during a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in February. These visual cues, particularly the swollen legs and bruising, prompted widespread online speculation and rumors about the president’s health.
Following his annual physical examination in April, Dr. Barbabella had previously stated that President Trump “exhibits cognitive and physical health.”
Trump, who was 78 years and seven months old when he was sworn in for his second term in January, holds the distinction of being the oldest president ever inaugurated as a U.S. leader.
Regarding the bruising on the president’s hand, the White House clarified that since chronic venous insufficiency primarily affects the lower body, the condition is unrelated to the hand bruising that fueled recent speculation.
The president’s doctor attributed the bruising to frequent handshaking and a common side effect of aspirin, a medication often used to help prevent heart attacks, blood clots, and strokes. Dr. Edwards, an external medical expert, concurred with the White House physician’s explanation, noting that the combination of aspirin intake and age could account for the bruising.
“We are all more prone to bruising as we get older, and you see that a lot in people that take aspirin and other blood-thinning agents.” Dr. Edwards added, “I’m sure it could if someone squeezes your hand hard enough, (you could get a bruise),” though he acknowledged, “That would be a pretty stiff handshake.”
