Bandage on Trump’s hand sparks fresh wave of health concerns

Trump hand bandage sparks health debate

US President Donald Trump was recently seen with a large bandage on the back of his right hand-and the photo is raising some eyebrows on social and traditional media. The latest sighting comes amid several public appearances where the bandage-and earlier bruising-have drawn attention.

Trump and First Lady Melania Trump appeared on the red carpet at the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors on December 7, 2025, in Washington, D.C. Melania was decked out in her pearls, but one thing stood out: Trump's right hand was bandaged, prompting immediate online debate over what the medical dressing could portend.

It's not the first time it has happened. Earlier in the week at a White House Cabinet meeting and during meetings with foreign leaders, Trump had been photographed sporting one or two large Band-Aids on the same hand. The successive images re-ignited the debate about his health among citizens, journalists and medical observers.

Officially, the White House maintains that the bandages have nothing to do with a serious illness. The administration and Trump's doctor point to chronic venous insufficiency, or CVI, a blood circulation condition rather common among older adults. The bruising and the reason for the adhesive bandages, they say, may be due to frequent handshakes and the routine intake of aspirin as part of standard cardiovascular prevention.

But critics are not buying that explanation: Neither Trump nor his staff have offered substantive medical updates or clarity on why he keeps wearing the bandages and showing bruising, prompting speculation about intravenous treatments, side-effects of medications, or other undisclosed medical conditions.

The fact that Trump, at 79 years, is the oldest person to assume the US presidency adds to the concern. Ever since he came back into power, public confidence in his stamina, transparency regarding his health, and manner of handling the grind of the office has come under scrutiny.

So despite all of the chatter, the question of whether the bandages are precautionary or a sign of something more serious remains a mystery. Until the White House provides a fuller explanation, each new photo of Trump with a covered or discoloured hand will likely spark fresh questions about his health and whether the public knows the whole story.

(Moneycontrol was unable to independently verify claims about the bandage on Donald Trump’s hand.)