The mystery behind Trump’s bruised hands and repeated hospital trips

Donald Trump is scheduled for another medical checkup as concerns for his health swirl.

Tomorrow’s visit to the Walter Reed Medical Center will mark his third hospital visit in 13 months – this time, for a routine medical and dental check-up.

Trump is notably tight-lipped about his health, which has been the subject of both speculation and concern during both his first and second terms.

The president went to Walter Reed last April and later returned for a ‘follow-up’.

That follow-up appointment was later confirmed to be a CT scan, to ‘rule out any cardiovascular issues’.

But Trump’s bruised hands and a recent neck rash have sparked concern among his supporters and critics.

In July 2025, he was seen struggling to stay awake while Medicare administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz began talking about healthcare.

And in May last year, he fell asleep with his mouth open as a star witness took the stand during his hush money trial.

Trump, almost 80, insisted his recurring bruising is because he takes around 325mg of aspirin daily to prevent a heart attack or stroke.

Trump said: ‘I would say take aspirin if you like your heart. But don’t take aspirin if you don’t want to have a little bruising. I take the big aspirin.

‘And when you take the big aspirin, they tell you you’ll bruise.’

The Republican leader says he has taken high doses of aspirin for well over two decades, despite evidence suggesting the painkiller has few benefits for people without a history of heart problems.

The president’s bruising is nothing new – he has even said he slathers his hand with makeup to hide the marks.

While Trump has chalked his bruises up to aspirin, the White House has claimed the blotches are from ‘frequent handshaking’.

Others have speculated the marks may have been caused by IV drips, thin skin, or, as he is the oldest sitting president in US history, his age.

In July last year, Trump was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, a condition in which veins have trouble moving blood back to the heart.

But White House physician Sean Barbabella has continued to stress that Trump is in ‘excellent’ physical health.

Despite these reassurances, the American public is doubting Trump’s health. A Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll found 40% of Americans thought Trump had the mental sharpness to serve as president, down from 47% last September.

Last September, photographs of what appeared to be road closures near the Walter Reed National Military Hospital circulated on X after Trump disappeared from the public eye for a few days.

Similar rumors spread when Joe Biden wasn’t seen for a few days in 2024, with Republican pundits posting questions about his whereabouts online.

Walter Reed Hospital is commonly used by Washington politicians and has treated many U.S. presidents before. It’s likely that if anything did happen to Trump, he would receive treatment there.

He said: ‘Happy Memorial Day to all, including the Dumocrats, who disrespect our Military and all of the tremendous success that it has had over the last year.

‘God Bless those that have made the ultimate sacrifice. I love you all! President DONALD J. TRUMP.’

In a second rambling post, the President wrote: ‘I laugh at all of the Dumocrats, RINOS, and Fools who know nothing about the potential deal I am making with Iran, things that haven’t even been negotiated yet, weak and ineffective people like failed Senator Thom Tillis (Soon out of office!), Bill Cassidy, who just suffered a massive Primary loss, really bad Congressman Thomas Massie, a major sleazebag who lost in a landslide to a great American Patriot (Endorsed by “TRUMP”) after showing tremendous disloyalty to his Party (and Country!)…

‘and almost all Dumocrats, people that have totally lost their way, constantly supporting bad policy and even worse candidates, but are constantly critical of each and every fantastic win I have.’