Donald Trump's Hand Has Bruises Again - Is It From A Sexually-Transmitted Disease Like Syphilis?

Photographs taken on 25 August 2025 showed US President Donald Trump with a visible bruise on the back of his right hand during a meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung. The mark prompted renewed discussion online, with theories ranging from medical treatment to age-related conditions.

Speculation quickly spread across social media, with some users questioning whether the bruise could be linked to a sexually transmitted infection such as syphilis. However, medical specialists and official statements have stressed that there is no evidence to support these claims, pointing instead to more common explanations.

White House Response

Images showed the bruise clearly visible without makeup, unlike previous occasions when it appeared concealed. According to the White House and Dr Sean Barbabella, the president's physician, the discolouration is linked to 'minor soft tissue irritation from frequent handshaking' and the effects of regular aspirin use.

Trump has also been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), a circulatory condition common in older adults that can lead to bruising. Dr Barbabella described the condition as non-life-threatening and said the president 'remains in excellent health'. The statement echoed similar comments made in February when the mark was first noticed.

Speculation Over Syphilis Dismissed

Claims that the hand mark might be related to syphilis have circulated since early 2024, when red patches were also photographed. Some online commentators compared the images to secondary syphilis lesions, fuelling further conjecture.

However, medical experts and fact checkers have rejected these claims. According to Forbes and other outlets, there is no clinical evidence linking Trump's hand bruise to syphilis or any sexually transmitted infection. Commentators on MSNBC also dismissed the suggestion as unfounded, stressing that online comparison images were misleading.

Medical Explanations for Bruising

Doctors have pointed to several likely causes of the bruising. Frequent handshaking, particularly in combination with blood thinning medication such as aspirin, can result in superficial marks and tissue irritation.

Ageing skin is another factor. As people grow older, veins and skin tissue become more fragile, making bruising more common and slower to heal. Physicians have noted that such marks are not unusual for men in their late seventies.

Some speculation has also suggested intravenous treatments as a possible cause, though no evidence has been presented to support this. Reports in The Daily Beast noted that such claims remain unsubstantiated.

Speculation Versus Transparency

The renewed visibility of Trump's hand bruise shows how quickly minor medical details can ignite wider debate. While the official explanation cites age-related conditions and medication side effects, the absence of fuller medical disclosure has allowed rumours to spread rapidly.

Health questions surrounding American presidents have a long history, from concerns over Ronald Reagan's age in the 1980s to scrutiny of Hillary Clinton's pneumonia in 2016 and Joe Biden's falls during public appearances. Analysts note that such speculation often reflects wider political anxieties rather than confirmed medical evidence.

At present, there is no evidence that President Trump's hand bruise is linked to any serious medical condition. Doctors and official statements point to circulation issues, medication use and routine activity as the most likely explanations. The renewed attention highlights how closely the health of political leaders is scrutinised, with even minor details capable of prompting significant public debate.