The appearance of a conspicuous patch of makeup on President Donald Trump's hand during a White House event has reignited online debate about his health.
Photos from Wednesday, February 18, 2026, show a dark area on his right hand partially covered by a concealer that did not match his skin tone. While the White House maintains the marks are minor, the recurrence has kept the story in the news cycle for months.
“If I took this shirt off, you would see a beautiful, beautiful person. But you would see wounds all over. I’ve taken a lot of wounds I can tell you. More than I suspect any president ever”pic.twitter.com/F7q95ViA6d
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has consistently described the bruising as a byproduct of the president's active schedule. She previously noted that Trump is a 'man of the people' who engages in hundreds of handshakes daily. However, Trump himself offered a more technical explanation this month. Speaking to reporters on Air Force One, he attributed the marks to his daily intake of 'big aspirin,' which he takes at a higher dose than his medical team recommends.
The president, now 79, stated he prefers his blood to be 'nice and thin.' Medical professionals note that high-dose aspirin significantly increases the risk of hematomas and purpura in older adults. This is especially true when combined with minor physical impacts, such as striking a table or a firm handshake.
The health questions emerged as the president hosted a reception to commemorate Black History Month. During the event, Trump announced plans to award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Ben Carson, his former HUD Secretary. He also used the platform to discuss crime in major cities, specifically mentioning a desire to deploy the National Guard to Atlanta. 'You ought to get them to call me,' Trump told the crowd. 'We could take care of Atlanta so fast.'
The reception comes as the administration faces criticism from civil rights groups over the removal of certain historical exhibits. Despite the controversy, the event was well-attended by supporters who cheered the president's remarks on law and order.
This is not the first time the bruising has drawn scrutiny.
Photographs showed what appeared to beconcealer applied over a bruised area, with the makeup shade noticeably different from the surrounding skin, as indicated by the coverage.
The Irish Star reported that the bruise has been visible for months and has appeared to vary in prominence, at times seemingly covered with make-up or a bandage.
Source: International Business Times UK
