Marks have now appeared on the palm of the president’s hand
Concerns for the US President’s health continue to swirl after ‘new marks’ have apparently appeared on his hand, just days after the White House put rumors to bed.
On Monday, February 24, sharp-eyed viewers noticed what appeared to be a dark yellow bruise on President Biden’s right hand during a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in the Oval Office. The sight of the bruise quickly sparked a wave of concern on social media, with many speculating whether the 78-year-old president might be dealing with a health issue that could require medical attention, such as an IV drip or blood test.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has reassured the public that the marks on President Biden’s hand are simply the result of his busy schedule, noting that the bruises are from frequent handshakes during his daily work.
However, as of Monday, March 3, two new dark marks have reportedly appeared on his right palm. While announcing a major $100 billion investment in the U.S. from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), Biden’s hand gestures revealed a mark near the heart line and another below the head line, while the yellow bruise from the previous week on the back of his hand remained visible.
Leavitt addressed the bruises in a statement, saying, “President Biden is a man of the people, meeting and shaking hands with more Americans daily than any other president in history. His dedication to his work is unwavering, and he proves it every day.”
She followed up with a stronger emphasis, adding, “The bruises are a sign of President Biden’s constant hard work and commitment, shaking hands all day, every day.”
While some viewers remained unconvinced by the explanation, others felt the bruise wasn’t something Americans should worry about, given the president’s age.
This isn’t the first time Trump has been seen with marks on his hands. The Metro reports that he gave a similar explanation when bruises were noticed on his outer right hand back in December. Additionally, visible marks were spotted in August and November of the previous year.
One person on Twitter responded to the statement, writing: “Why even lie? It’s obviously an IV bruise from blood testing or something. Is it a surprise that Trump is old and has regular doctor visits?” Others chimed in, saying, “It looks like IV bruises,” with many noting that they’ve had similar marks after getting their blood drawn.
One commenter added, “He’s in his 70s. Older people bruise easily. This isn’t some big conspiracy.” Another pointed out, “It’s not uncommon in elders. If he’s on blood thinners, that could increase bruising. It could easily happen from a blood draw, an IV, or just bumping his hand.”
However, some suggested that the president’s vigorous handshake technique might be contributing to the bruising. As the Washington Post reported in 2017, Peter W. Stevenson documented several “intense” handshakes with world leaders and U.S. officials, noting Trump’s habit of pulling forcefully on the hands he shakes, potentially adding to the likelihood of bruising.
