WASHINGTON:
The White House has addressed growing speculation about President Donald Trump’s health after recent images showed noticeable swelling in his legs and discoloration on his right hand, partially concealed with makeup. Officials have assured the public there is no cause for concern.
According to White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt, the swelling in Trump’s legs is due to a common vein condition, while the bruising on his hand stems from frequent handshakes. Reading from a statement by the president’s physician, Dr. Sean Barbabella, Leavitt emphasized that both issues are benign and not linked to any serious medical condition.
In response to widespread online rumors, the White House released a detailed letter from Dr. Barbabella, a U.S. Navy medical officer, confirming that the 79-year-old president had recently undergone a thorough medical evaluation. An ultrasound of his legs revealed chronic venous insufficiency—a non-life-threatening condition often found in people over 70. Importantly, tests ruled out deep vein thrombosis, arterial disease, heart failure, kidney issues, and other systemic illnesses.
The bruising on Trump’s right hand, Barbabella noted, was consistent with minor soft tissue irritation caused by repetitive handshaking and the use of aspirin, which Trump takes as part of a preventive heart health regimen. Leavitt confirmed that the president is not experiencing pain or discomfort.
Despite the visible signs, Dr. Barbabella concluded that “President Trump remains in excellent health.”
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Vascular experts weighed in to clarify the condition. Dr. Kwame Amankwah, chief of vascular surgery at the University of Connecticut, explained that chronic venous insufficiency affects the lower limbs when veins struggle to return blood to the heart. The condition, he said, is typically managed with compression stockings and leg elevation. If left untreated, it could lead to ulcers or severe swelling, though it poses no immediate danger.
Dr. Todd Berland, a vascular specialist at NYU Langone Health, echoed that sentiment, saying the condition impacts quality of life, not life expectancy.
Trump’s last full physical was conducted on April 11 at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, where doctors found no major health concerns and reported a normal heart rhythm.