The President of the United States has a daily schedule full of appointments, bilateral meetings, public events, press conferences, dinners, and constant travel, several times a week by car, helicopter, and plane. A strenuous job under normal conditions, due to the schedule, pressure, and responsibility. The President of the United States, in this case, is also nearly 80 years old, spends every weekend trying to play golf, and constantly engages with the media and supporters, sometimes delivering speeches of 60 or 90 minutes standing. And that takes a toll.
This Thursday, the White House indicated that Donald Trump underwent an unexpected check-up due to what was described as "mild swelling" in the legs and bruises on the hands in recent weeks. The diagnosis is "chronic venous insufficiency," a common vascular condition in people of his age, characterized by circulation problems. Karoline Levitt, Trump's spokesperson, stated that the medical examination was comprehensive, including ultrasounds and vascular tests, and the conclusion is a "benign ailment," with no trace of blood clots or arterial issues. There were also no cardiac or renal anomalies.
Addressing the marks on the rest of the limbs, Levitt, however, gave a much more peculiar response, which did not convince the media. "Recent photos of the president show a slight bruise on the back of the hand. This is consistent with a mild irritation of the soft tissues caused by frequent handshakes and the use of aspirin, taken as part of a standard cardiovascular prevention regimen," she stated.
What could be a minor issue has, however, turned into a more serious matter. First, because he is the President of the United States, and everything related to him is magnified. Second, because Trump won the elections in no small part because his opponent, President Joe Biden, was forced to step aside due to doubts about his physical and mental health. The White House consistently denied any issues, despite the evident deterioration observed in his interventions, filled with pauses, distractions, and forgetfulness. Shortly after leaving office, he announced the detection of advanced cancer, fueling rumors. Claiming that hand injuries, bruises, and makeup are due to handshakes only feeds very twisted theories.
The world of conspiracies has been ablaze since then. It gains momentum with Trump, who just a few months ago boasted about the results of his annual medical examination, stating that he was in great physical and mental shape. The President's health report from April actually highlighted that Trump had no serious issues and was in "excellent health," specifically adding that "blood flow to his extremities was not affected."
The President's ankles.Alex BrandonAP
The internet, followed by radio and television discussions, is now dominated by photos and videos of Trump and his legs, especially on Sunday at the Club World Cup final, despite the spokesperson's assurance that the president is not experiencing any "pain or discomfort," but swelling. The focus is particularly on the hands, as photos not only show bruises but also that the president has covered them with makeup to hide them.
The White House had to come out and explain after numerous posts speculating about the possibility that the swelling and marks were caused by something more serious, such as congestive heart failure or more likely the administration of IV fluids or anticoagulants. "Of course, we have no idea because the most transparent White House in history tells us nothing," one message complained about the official silence.
The Republican apparatus has mobilized today to ensure that the president is as strong as a bull, strong, better than ever, and that his handshakes are "firm and vigorous."