President Donald Trump has put an end to months of intense speculation by revealing the cause of mysterious, prominent bruises spotted on his hands, attributing them directly to his daily high-dose aspirin regimen.
The Presidential Explanation
In a recent interview with the Wall Street Journal, the President addressed the unsightly marks that have been a source of widespread rumour. He stated that doctors recommended aspirin to thin his blood, a measure he has followed for years. "They say aspirin is good for thinning out the blood, and I don't want thick blood pouring through my heart," Trump explained. "I want nice, thin blood pouring through my heart. Does that make sense?"
He admitted to taking a larger dose than typically advised, which he believes is the direct cause of the bruising. "They'd rather have me take the smaller one, but I take the larger one... and what it does do is it causes bruising," he told the publication.
Medical Context and Official Statements
Trump's personal physician, Dr Sean Barbabella, confirmed the President takes approximately 325mg of aspirin daily as a preventative measure against heart attack or stroke. This is notably higher than the average prophylactic dose of around 100mg.
Dr Barbabella has previously supported the White House's explanation linking the bruising to Trump's vigorous schedule, stating: "This is consistent with minor soft tissue irritation from frequent handshaking and the use of aspirin, which is taken as part of a standard cardiovascular prevention regimen." Earlier in the year, reporters questioning the marks were told they resulted from frequent handshaking.
A Year of Health Speculation
The focus on Trump's hand bruises is part of a broader conversation about his health since he retook office almost a year ago. Other incidents have fuelled public discussion:
- In July, he appeared to struggle to stay awake during a healthcare discussion with Medicare administrator Dr Mehmet Oz.
- During his hush money trial in May, he was photographed falling asleep with his mouth open as a star witness took the stand.
- A large bruise on the back of his right hand first drew significant attention in February during a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron.
Prior to Trump's own revelation, theories for the bruising ranged from IV infusions and the effects of blood thinners to the natural thinning of skin due to age. There were also reports that concealer had been used in an attempt to mask the discolouration on some public appearances.
Boasts and Official Health Assessments
Donald Trump has long boasted about his physical condition, once claiming he was "healthier than Obama," a man fifteen years his junior. Earlier this year, Dr Barbabella released a memo asserting the President was in "excellent health."
The memo did note several managed conditions, including hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol), diverticulosis, and actinic keratosis (dry skin patches). It listed his daily medications: two drugs for cholesterol, the confirmed daily aspirin for cardiac health, and topical cream for his skin as needed.
This official disclosure finally provides a definitive answer to a curious sidebar of the Trump presidency, directly linking a visible physical symptom to a specific, doctor-recommended element of his healthcare routine.
