Trump's Bruised Hand Draws Attention at Irish Open After He Cited 'Big Aspirin' Use

President Donald Trump's right hand drew attention during the final day of the Amgen Irish Open on Sunday, 13 September, as photographs showed a large patch of beige makeup on the back of his hand, with purple and reddish discolouration visible around its edges.

The tournament was held at Trump International Golf Links & Hotel in Doonbeg, County Clare, from 10 to 13 September. Trump attended the final round and later took part in the trophy presentation after Ireland's Shane Lowry won the tournament.

The appearance renewed attention on bruising that has been visible on Trump's hands during his second term. The White House and Trump's physician have previously attributed the bruising to frequent handshaking combined with aspirin use.

A photograph posted to Instagram by former Trump aide John McEntee over the US Labor Day weekend also showed dark discolouration on Trump's left arm as the president golfed at his Bedminster club in New Jersey, according to contemporaneous reporting.

White House Has Linked Bruising to Aspirin and Handshaking

Trump addressed his aspirin use directly in January after a separate bruise appeared on his left hand following an event in Davos.

'I take the big aspirin,' Trump told reporters at the time, saying that aspirin caused him to bruise more easily. Reuters reported that Trump's physician had previously identified his daily dose as 325 milligrams.

Trump has described taking aspirin for decades, although published accounts differ on exactly how long. In January, FactCheck.org reported that Trump had told The Wall Street Journal he had taken it for about 25 years, while he told The New York Times that month that he had taken aspirin for 30 years.

His current dosage is less clear. In Trump's most recent publicly released physical examination, conducted on 26 May, physician to the president Capt. Sean Barbabella said bruising on the backs of Trump's hands was consistent with minor soft-tissue irritation from frequent handshaking while taking aspirin for cardiovascular prevention.

The same medical report recommended that Trump take low-dose aspirin but did not state the dosage he was using at that time. It would therefore be inaccurate to present the previously reported 325-milligram dose as his confirmed current regimen.

Barbabella also reported that Trump remained in 'excellent health' following the May examination and described his cardiac, pulmonary, neurological and overall physical function as strong. The report said a neurological examination found normal mental status, cranial-nerve function, motor strength, sensation, reflexes, gait and balance.

Trump's Previously Disclosed Venous Condition

The White House separately disclosed in July 2025 that Trump had been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency after he reported mild swelling in his lower legs.

The condition occurs when veins in the legs have difficulty returning blood towards the heart. Barbabella described it as common among people over 70 and said testing at the time found no evidence of deep-vein thrombosis or arterial disease.

Trump's May 2026 examination continued to note slight lower-leg swelling but said it had improved from the previous year. The diagnosis concerns the veins in his lower extremities and does not, by itself, provide an explanation for the appearance of his hands or face.

Trump, who turned 80 in June, is the oldest person to have been inaugurated as US president.

His appearance two days before the Irish Open, at the Pentagon ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the 11 September attacks, also generated public commentary. The Washington Post reported that Trump at times appeared to have difficulty keeping his eyes open while the victims' names were being read. White House spokesman Davis Ingle rejected suggestions that Trump had fallen asleep, saying the president was listening solemnly to the remembrance.