Reporter Spent 90 Minutes With Donald Trump and Noticed Bruising, Makeup and a Walking Hitch

New York Magazine's Washington correspondent Ben Terris said Donald Trump's hand bruising and makeup were visible during a White House visit on 26 August.

He also noticed 'maybe a little hitch in his step, maybe' while spending about 90 minutes with President Trump. Terris had gone to the White House to report on Trump's ballroom and other construction projects.

He expected 15 to 20 minutes with the president, but the meeting and tour lasted about an hour and a half. Terris later said they spent roughly 45 minutes in the Oval Office before Trump took him outside. The rest of the visit included a tour of the ballroom site and other renovation work.

Terris discussed those observations with The Bulwark's Tim Miller in an episode released on 6 September. His New York Magazine report had been published two days earlier, on 4 September.

The distinction between observation and diagnosis matters here. Terris did not claim that Trump's bruising, gait or makeup proved a new medical condition.

Trump turned 80 on 14 June and is serving as the 47th president of the United States. The latest White House physician's memorandum, dated 29 May, described him as remaining in excellent health. That memorandum attributed continued hand bruising to frequent handshaking alongside aspirin use for cardiovascular prevention. It also said Trump remained fit to carry out his presidential duties.

Donald Trump's Hand Bruising Remained Visible

Miller asked whether Terris had noticed anything new about Trump's physical condition after spending so much time close to him. Terris said the bruising on the president's hand was still visible.

He also confirmed that he shook Trump's hand, though he deliberately avoided an especially firm grip. 'I didn't want to be responsible for a presidential injury,' Terris said.

He described the handshake as a medium grip and added that Trump had 'very soft hands'. That detail offers colour, but little medical evidence. A single handshake cannot confirm or disprove the White House physician's explanation for the bruising.

Miller then asked about Trump's movement. Terris gave a notably cautious answer, saying there was 'maybe a little hitch in his step, maybe.' He immediately added context that cut against any dramatic interpretation. Terris said Trump spent about 45 minutes outside walking, talking and pointing out features around the construction site.

He did not recall Trump needing to sit down during that part of the visit. Nor did he describe the president as struggling to move around. Terris's account therefore supports only a brief visual observation, not an established gait problem. He did not determine the cause of what he noticed.

Donald Trump Makeup and Hair Comments Stayed Observational

The conversation later shifted from movement to Trump's appearance. Miller asked about recent attention surrounding the president's hair.

Terris said Trump's hair looked broadly familiar, though he thought it appeared thinner and less dyed than he remembered. He also said staff seemed concerned about photographers taking pictures while the wind was blowing.

Those were subjective observations, and Terris did not offer a medical explanation. He also did not establish that any particular cosmetic treatment was involved.

Miller then asked whether makeup rubbed off when Terris shook Trump's hand. Terris said it did not, but he said the makeup itself was clearly visible. 'I could tell that the makeup was there,' Terris said. He described it as 'very prevalent' on Trump's hands and face.

Terris did not say why the makeup was being worn. His account also did not establish whether it was intended to cover bruising or anything else. That separation matters because the White House physician's bruising explanation and Terris's description of visible makeup address different things. Neither proves the makeup's purpose.

The reporter's access nevertheless offered a rare close-up view of Trump over an extended period. Terris saw bruising, visible makeup and what he cautiously described as a possible hitch in Trump's step. He also saw Trump remain on his feet and walk outdoors for much of the visit. Terris's observations and later interview established no new medical condition.

As public curiosity intensifies around the 80-year-old president's daily routines and stamina, close-quarters media encounters continue to fuel fierce national debates over executive fitness and public communication standards. While administration officials maintain that routine medical memoranda fully address wellness metrics, critics continue scrutinising public appearances.