President Donald Trump posed for cameras at Mar-a-Lago this weekend in what was meant to be a routine, carefully staged moment. Instead, as the official photos circulated, viewers zoomed in on a small visual detail tied to Trump that quickly became the subject of heated debate — pulling attention away from his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. As that debate spread, attention narrowed to Trump’s hands as he took questions from reporters. While makeup was again visible on the back of his right hand, it was his left hand — showing a bluish discoloration — that drew the most scrutiny and fueled fresh speculation. U.S. President Donald Trump listens during a press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky following their meeting at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club on December 28, 2025 in Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) The development revived questions that first surfaced in February, when a large bruise appeared on the back of Trump’s right hand at the White House during a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron. At the time, the administration attributed the blemish to the president’s public schedule. ‘WHAT?!?!?!!’: One Question About a Top Official Gets Trump So Worked Up, He Drifts Mid-Answer, Gets Stuck Looping on One Word, Then Abrupty Ends Presser White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said then, “President Trump has bruises on his hand because he’s constantly working and shaking hands all day every day.” Nearly a year later, Leavitt is singing the same song. BREAKING: Karoline Leavitt says the bandaids on Trump’s hands are hiding bruises from “shaking hands.”How many presidents, how many Senators, Congresspeople, and business leaders shake hands every single day? Why don’t they look like THAT? pic.twitter.com/o2LcFZl0rp— CALL TO ACTIVISM (@CalltoActivism) December 11, 2025 “The president is literally constantly shaking hands,” Leavitt said in response to a reporter’s question just two weeks ago. “The Oval Office is like Grand Central terminal. He’s meeting with more people than any of you even know about,” she said before adding that he’s also on a daily aspirin regimen that may cause bruising. As images circulated on Sunday showing new discoloration on Trump’s left hand — one he rarely uses for handshakes — and Leavitt’s explanation began to wear thin online. “Rut roh, they’re switching hands now? New “preventative routine MRI” coming soon?”one observer noted on a post in response to a zoomed in shot from an official Getty Image shared by journalist Aaron Rupar with the caption, “there appears to be a hole in Trump’s left hand.” there appears to be a hole in Trump's left hand https://t.co/NCXHJkVJRK pic.twitter.com/CXtfylU8Eo— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) December 28, 2025 Others followed the same line of questioning. “Is Trump going lefty when shaking hands now?” another added, saying the emerging inconsistencies should prompt more aggressive questioning from reporters. “Also, THIS is a question the press corps should be asking to debunk the whole ‘his bruises are from shaking hands all the time’ nonsense.” “He’s rotting from the inside out,” Patrick observed. The photo of Trump’s left hand sparked theories about possible conditions, including chronic venous insufficiency, edema, peripheral vascular disease, or collapsed veins. Several curious observers posted additional photos that claimed to show the alleged “hole.” Veteran and Psychopolitical Analyst, Evaristus Odinikaeze shared a close up photo of circling specific photos of Trump’s bruises. (Credit: X/Odinikaeze) “Probably injections to help slow the deterioration of his brain. Would explain the brain MRI, the gait, the disorganized speech…etc,” one person posted. “His doctors have switched the IV to the other hand. The most common reason this is done is because the other vein has collapsed and can’t be used any more,” one amateur sleuth wrote. “Just what is Trump getting treated for? What is he hiding?” This is a higher resolution picture of the possible "hole" or abrasion on the back of Trump's hand today, which appears to be adjacent to a surface vein https://t.co/M27tBtYXjk pic.twitter.com/F0zMW5odgY— Bad Fox Graphics (@BadFoxGraphics) December 29, 2025 A Trump supporter pushed back on the speculation circulating in the comments, mocking what he described as armchair medical diagnoses. “Libs suddenly becoming medical detectives has been under the radar funniest thing in 2025,” he wrote, prompting a barrage of replies attacking his credibility. “MAGA still thinking Trump is there to help the country is actually funnier,” one person responded in the back-and-forth exchange. Are you not concerned for the well being of your cult leader? I know in the cult you all think he is a Marvel Superhero instead of an ailing 80 year old man?— jacki lewan (@jackilewan) December 29, 2025 The debate persisted. One MAGA user simply shot back, “No there doesn’t. Your TDS is making you see things.” That was enough to warrant a full-on counter from a Trump critic who created a clever nickname in the process. “Yes there is. You’re MGS has made you blind. In case you’re wondering MGS stand’s for”Maga, Grifter, Syndrome” Maga Grifters are a “Clear Present Danger To Democracy”, everything they do say is designed to make them money, they have no loyalty to anyone but themselves!” Yes there is. You're MGS has made you blind.In case you're wondering MGS stand's for"Maga, Grifter, Syndrome"Maga Grifters are a "Clear Present Danger To Democracy", everything they do say is designed to make them money, they have no loyalty to anyone but themselves!.— WTF, not again… (@WMatire) December 29, 2025 The president’s hands have drawn attention repeatedly this year. In early December, Trump appeared in the Oval Office wearing a bandage on his right hand for the second consecutive day. A day earlier, he had worn two bandages during a Cabinet meeting, keeping his hands mostly under the table. “I’ll let you know when something’s wrong,” Trump said during that meeting when asked about coverage of his health, reiterating that he had no major physical concerns. Previously, Leavitt attributed the bruising to “minor soft tissue irritation from frequent handshaking and the use of aspirin, which is taken as part of a standard cardiovascular prevention regimen.” Trump had some hefty bandages yesterday on the back of right hand — the same one that is often discolored (Chip Somodevilla/Getty) pic.twitter.com/YCeeu1Xvn7— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) December 3, 2025 The White House did not immediately respond to questions about the president’s left hand. The issue has unfolded against a broader backdrop of scrutiny surrounding Trump’s health during his second term. His physician, Dr. Sean Barbabella, previously disclosed that Trump was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, which Barbabella described as a “benign and common condition,” adding that testing showed no evidence of deep vein thrombosis or arterial disease. Barbabella also addressed photos of Trump’s swollen ankles, saying “mild swelling” had been “thoroughly evaluated by the White House Medical Unit.” Last night at a rally in NC Trump actually said, "There will be a time when perhaps I won't be 100%. When that time comes, I'll let you know about it. You probably will find out about it just by watching."Who is going to tell him that time is now?#DemsUnited pic.twitter.com/fYWsTG851J— Feisty is proud to be a Democrat! (@FeistyLibLady) December 21, 2025 The administration has also acknowledged that Trump underwent “preventative” cardiovascular and abdominal MRIs this month — tests the White House disclosed after Trump said he did not know which parts of his body were scanned. Trump has said he plans to release the results, though medical experts have told The New York Times that imaging without symptoms would be unusual in a routine exam. Throughout it all, the White House has maintained that Trump remains in “excellent health.” ‘He’s Rotting from the Inside’: Trump Poses in a Harmless Photo Outside Mar-a-Lago — Until Viewers Zero In and Spot a ‘Hole’ They Can’t Stop Arguing About ...read more read less