Donald Trump's hands were visibly coated in thick make-up as he arrived in Beijing on Wednesday, withconcealer appearing to cover deep purple bruisingduring a state visit to China intended to project American strength. The 79-year-old president, whose hand bruising has prompted long-running questions about his health, was repeatedly photographed extending the made-up hand as he greetedChinese President Xi Jinpingand toured key sites in the capital.
For weeks, close-up images from Washington have shownbulging veins and discolouration across Trump's knuckles, fuelling renewed scrutiny. The White House has previously said the marks are the result of his frequent handshakes, dismissing speculation about any underlying condition even as the bruising has become more noticeable.
The latest attention focused on Trump's hands began almost as soon as Air Force One landed at Beijing Capital International Airport. Commentator Aaron Rupar posted aclose-up image of Trump's right hand on X, describing it as 'pretty gnarly' as the president stepped onto the tarmac. The photo appeared to show pronounced veins and dark bruising beneath what looked like a heavy cosmetic layer.
Trump's hand was looking pretty gnarly after he landed in China(Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty)pic.twitter.com/89SyQjgzDW
Similar images had already circulated earlier in the week from the Oval Office, where both of Trump's hands appeared to be heavily covered in foundation during a maternal healthcare event and a ceremony for the Indiana Hoosiers, who won the NCAA football championship. The bruising on his right hand was especially visible, though faint discolouration could also be seen on his left hand.
Trump had presented the Beijing trip as a display of American military and diplomatic power. On departure on Tuesday, he told reporters: 'We're the two superpowers,' adding that the United States was 'the strongest nation on Earth in terms of military' and that 'China's considered second.' Within a day, the focus had shifted from geopolitics to the close examination of his hands.
BATTLE OF HANDSHAKE 🤝🏻President Donald Trump tried his classic hand-pull move on Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Thursday, and the moment is already blowing up online.Who won this round? 👀pic.twitter.com/g7Z7ecylFa
Outside the Great Hall of the People, Trump again used his trademark handshake style, gripping Xi's hand and lifting his elbow in a familiar show of dominance. Photographs from the moment showed purple discolouration appearing beneath the concealer on his right hand as he shook Xi's hand.
The political backdrop was far less polished. Xi warned during the opening exchanges that the Taiwan issue could lead the two countries into 'conflict' if mishandled. According to the report cited, the bilateral session lasted just over two hours. When the pair later appeared together near the Temple of Heaven, Trump seemed muted and responded tersely when asked about the talks, saying: 'It's great — a great place. Incredible. China is beautiful.'
The White House has avoided answering detailed questions about Donald Trump's hands directly, instead offering a broad defence of the president's energy and stamina. When asked by theDaily Beastabout the bruising seen after earlier Oval Office events, spokesperson Davis Ingle issued a familiar line, describing Trump as 'the sharpest, most accessible, and energetic president in American history.'
Source: International Business Times UK
