Photos from a White House event on May 6, 2026, show President Trump’s hands covered in makeup and visible bruising.
In early May 2026, photos taken at a White House Mother’s Day event showed President Donald Trump, 79, with both hands appearing discolored and partially covered with light-toned makeup.
In July 2025, the White House disclosed that Trump had been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), a circulatory condition common in adults over 70. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has consistently attributed the hand bruising to a combination of frequent handshaking and Trump’s aspirin regimen. The president takes 325 milligrams of aspirin daily — a higher dose than the 81 milligrams typically recommended — for cardiovascular prevention. He has stated his doctors recommend the smaller dose, but he prefers the higher one.
Vascular surgeons interviewed by STAT noted that hand bruising is not a typical symptom of CVI itself. White House physician Capt. Sean Barbabella has said tests showed “no evidence of deep vein thrombosis or arterial disease.” The president, who turns 80 in June 2026, is the oldest person ever inaugurated to the office.
