5 times Trump’s health came under scrutiny: From bruised hand to showing signs of dementia

While Trump frequently touts his excellent health, instances such as his lapses during press conferences and visible bruises have drawn scrutiny
PUBLISHED AUG 21, 2025
Donald Trump's health has been under scrutiny since the start of his second term (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Donald Trump's health has been under scrutiny since the start of his second term (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC: Donald Trump has long presented himself as the picture of vitality, once famously claiming he was “the healthiest president that’s ever lived.”

Yet, a string of recent developments and images circulating online tells a different story.

1. Trump seen with bruised right hand

Makeup covers a bruise on the back of U.S. President Donald Trump's hand as he hosts French President Emmanuel Macron for meetings at the White House on February 24, 2025 in Washington, DC. Macron is meeting with Trump in Washington on the third anniversary of Russia's full-scale military invasion of Ukraine. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Makeup covers a bruise on the back of President Donald Trump's hand as he hosts French President Emmanuel Macron for meetings at the White House on February 24, 2025, in Washington, DC (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Since taking office, Trump has exhibited visible health concerns, particularly involving his hands. Photographs taken at public events have repeatedly shown unexplained bruising on his right hand, often covered with foundation.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt explained that Trump’s bruised hand resulted from “tissue damage caused by frequent handshakes,” while noting he takes aspirin as “part of a standard cardio-vascular prevention regimen.”

2. Mounting fears about Trump's possible cognitive decline

US President Donald Trump speaks to the media as he departs the White House on July 15, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump is traveling to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to speak at an artificial intelligence and energy summit. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump speaks to the media as he departs the White House on July 15, 2025, in Washington, DC (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Alongside his physical symptoms, Donald Trump’s mental sharpness has become a subject of intense debate. His frequent lapses during press conferences, such as asking reporters to repeat questions multiple times, have only deepened suspicions. 

Psychologist Dr John Gartner told radio host Dean Obeidallah that Trump’s speech patterns reveal “classic signs of dementia,” citing examples of phonemic paraphasia — instances where Trump substitutes made-up words for real ones. His niece, Mary Trump, has also fueled speculation, insisting on her YouTube channel that he is “declining rapidly” and “losing it every day.”

During a 'Fox & Friends' interview, he admitted he feared he might not make it to heaven. “I want to try to get to heaven if possible, I’m hearing that I’m not doing well,” Trump said, just one day after hosting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House.

3. Trump being unsure about Alaska’s location adds to scrutiny


ANCHORAGE, ALASKA - AUGUST 15: U.S. President Donald Trump (R) greets Russian President Vladimir Putin as he arrives at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson on August 15, 2025 in Anchorage, Alaska. The two leaders are meeting for peace talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump greets Russian President Vladimir Putin as he arrives at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson on August 15, 2025, in Anchorage, Alaska (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Donald Trump’s performance during the recent Alaska summit with Vladimir Putin also fueled speculation about his mental clarity. While addressing reporters, the 79-year-old mistakenly implied that Alaska was not part of the United States, telling the press, “I’ll go back to the United States” if the talks failed. The gaffe quickly went viral, with social media users mocking his knowledge of basic geography.

4. Trump was shot in ear at Pennsylvania campaign rally

BUTLER, PENNSYLVANIA - JULY 13: Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is rushed offstage by U.S. Secret Service agents after being grazed by a bullet during a rally on July 13, 2024 in Butler, Pennsylvania. Butler County district attorney Richard Goldinger said the shooter is dead after injuring former U.S. President Donald Trump, killing one audience member and injuring another in the shooting. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump is rushed offstage by US Secret Service agents after being grazed by a bullet during a rally on July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pennsylvania (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Donald Trump is still recovering from being shot in the ear just over a year ago, an attack that left him injured. The shooting occurred just as the MAGA leader began his speech. He clutched his right ear, glanced at his hand, and then ducked behind the podium.

Secret Service agents rushed to shield him before escorting him offstage. Moments later, Trump reappeared, raising his fist and seemingly mouthing “Fight! Fight! Fight!” before being ushered into a waiting vehicle. In the annual physical examination report published in April, Trump’s physician, Sean Barbabella, noted that while the POTUS' hearing was normal, there was scarring on his right ear from a gunshot wound.

5. Tired look following Alaska summit press conference

U.S. President Donald Trump (R) and Russian President Vladimir Putin leave following a press conference at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson on August 15, 2025 in Anchorage, Alaska. The two leaders are meeting for peace talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin leave following a press conference at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson on August 15, 2025, in Anchorage, Alaska (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Donald Trump showed visible signs of fatigue after wrapping up his Alaska summit with Vladimir Putin on Friday. The leaders met at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage in hopes of negotiating a ceasefire in Ukraine. While Trump described the talks as “extremely productive,” he admitted that the discussions fell short of securing an agreement. 

MORE STORIES

Donald Trump took aim at Sen Richard Blumenthal after his tense face-off with Attorney General Pam Bondi during a congressional hearing
59 minutes ago
Dick Durbin pressed Pam Bondi to justify sending troops to Illinois, accusing the Justice Department of hiding key information from the public
5 hours ago
The comedian dubbed Chuck Schumer 'Hack-ie Mason', and then went on a rant against Democratic leadership in general
20 hours ago
Trump promised America’s men and women in uniform that their pay is safe despite the government shutdown
2 days ago
The stipend is part of measures taken by the Trump administration to reduce illegal immigrants in US
3 days ago
The directive followed Donald Trump’s August 2025 executive order instructing law enforcement and military to immediately arrest flag burners
3 days ago
Sen Roger Marshall introduced the Passport Sanity Act to end gender-neutral passports citing security and Trump-era precedent
5 days ago
JB Pritzker went after Trump after he suggested alleged crime-ridden cities like Chicago could serve as a training ground for National Guard troops
6 days ago
With the US nearing a government shutdown, Donald Trump posted an AI-generated video mocking Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries as desperate
Sep 30, 2025
Trump revived his long-running clash with Jerome Powell by sharing a viral cartoon while demanding deeper rate cuts despite Fed independence
Sep 28, 2025