President Donald Trump is pushing back on renewed health speculation after a report revealed that his hand bled following a high-five with Attorney General Pam Bondi.
The incident, first detailed in an interview with The Wall Street Journal, occurred when Bondi’s ring nicked the back of Trump’s hand during a public appearance.
The president acknowledged the cut but dismissed claims that it signaled any serious health concern.
“The ring hit the back of my hand, and yes, there was a slight little cut,” Trump said.
He added that he occasionally uses makeup to cover bruising when his hands get “whacked” during public events.
According to sources cited by the Journal, the moment briefly alarmed some witnesses and was one of several recent instances in which Trump’s skin was broken during routine interactions such as handshakes.
The White House has attributed the bruising and cuts to a combination of frequent public contact and aspirin use.
Officials previously said the president takes aspirin daily, which can thin the blood and make bruising more visible.
Trump, now 79, has repeatedly rejected claims that his health is deteriorating.
In the same interview, he insisted that he is in “perfect” shape and criticized media fixation on minor physical details.
The report also noted that Trump has worn compression socks to address leg swelling and has adjusted his schedule to reduce the length of some meetings.
Officials said the swelling is tied to chronic venous insufficiency, a common and non-life-threatening condition that affects blood flow in the legs.
Despite viral photos and online speculation, the White House has maintained that none of the symptoms interfere with Trump’s ability to perform his duties as president.
Trump also pushed back against claims that he has been falling asleep in public. He said moments caught on camera showing his eyes closed were simply instances of relaxation.
“I’ll just close my eyes. It’s very relaxing to me,” Trump said, adding that photographers often capture him mid-blink and misrepresent it.
The president denied having hearing problems and rejected suggestions that he is ignoring medical advice, according to The Independent.
While the report noted he takes more aspirin than doctors typically recommend, Trump framed the decision as preventative and routine.
Photos of Trump’s hands have drawn increased attention over the past year, particularly when makeup or bandages were visible during speeches and meetings.
Critics have used the images to question his fitness, while supporters argue the scrutiny is exaggerated and politically motivated.
The White House reiterated that Trump continues to receive regular medical evaluations and remains fully capable of carrying out the responsibilities of the presidency.
