The White House has confirmed that President Donald Trump will undergo his annual physical exam at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center next month. Dr. Sean Barbabella, the President’s physician, stated that the date of the exam will be publicly released in the coming weeks. This announcement follows the appearance of mysterious bruises on Trump’s hands during a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron earlier this week.
The bruises, which were yellow and purple, were located on the back of his right hand. A White House official attributed the bruising to Trump shaking hands with multiple people during his campaign events.
Press secretary Karoline Leavitt noted that Trump’s constant work and handshakes contribute to the bruising.
However, some medical professionals have expressed concern that the bruising could be a sign of underlying health issues.
Dr. Stuart Fischer suggested that the bruises could be related to aging or conditions like osteoarthritis, which affects joints, or potentially brittle blood vessels.
Despite these concerns, Trump has not provided additional information about his health, breaking a long-standing tradition of transparency. The bruises appeared to have been covered up with makeup, though the injury was still noticeable. The incident sparked speculation on social media about the state of Trump’s health, with some pointing out that the bruise had been visible in previous photos.
Last November, Trump’s doctor, Dr. Bruce Aronwald, had described him as being in “excellent” health, with normal cardiovascular tests and cancer screenings. However, he did not provide specific details about his weight, blood pressure, or any ongoing medications. There has also been little information about whether Trump has been diagnosed with any illnesses or received mental health care following past traumatic events.
