'How can you not love this guy': Internet in splits after Trump's 'AI' joke about red spots on hand

WASHINGTON, DC: Former President Donald Trump added a touch of humor to the speculation surrounding a recent photo showing red spots on his hand.

Speaking with Fox News correspondent Mark Meredith on Wednesday, January 31, Trump playfully suggested, "Maybe it's AI," leaving the internet in splits.

Quirky exchange

Meredith, seizing the moment during a press interaction after Trump met with Teamsters union leaders in Washington, DC, asked, "How's your hands?" Trump, seemingly confused, held up both hands to demonstrate their cleanliness.

The now-viral photo was taken as the former president departed from Trump Tower in Manhattan to attend the second defamation trial involving writer E Jean Carroll.

Surprisingly, when Meredith queried Trump about the photo, which depicted three red marks on his hand, Trump responded, "No. What was wrong with it?" When pressed further about what it be, Trump whimsically replied, "Nothing. Maybe it's AI."

Fox News' America Reports aired the exchange, prompting co-host Sandra Smith to remark, "Remarkable that he didn't even know about all the speculation and coverage of those hands."

Meanwhile, the internet was inundated with reactions to Trump's "AI" joke.

"Gotta love President Trump. He can actually be naturally funny. Most politicians are just phonies. Trump is just Trump and that’s why even reporters love him," one X user gushed.

"This is why he can’t be held to a script; he’s best when he’s just being himself. Living rent-free in lefty minds since 2015," someone else wrote.

"'What was wrong with it?… Maybe it was AI' How can you not love this guy," a comment read.

"I love his response, “Maybe it's AI,” the same thing that is being used against us. We were warned that AI would destroy our country," another offered.

The speculation around the red spots on Trump's hand ignited various theories on social media, with some suggesting early-stage leprosy or wounds from a fall. Dr Joshua Zeichner, an associate professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, shared his insights with Business Insider.

Zeichner discussed potential causes such as dryness, overwashing due to germophobia, blisters from activities like golf, and even the intriguing idea of a "margarita burn" from lime juice exposure. Despite the myriad of theories, the expert noted how difficult it was to pinpoint the cause without Trump's confirmation. "Hand rashes could be caused by almost anything, including something as unsuspecting as bug bites," he insisted.

Legal developments

While the red blemishes on Trump's hand continue to puzzle the public, a verdict was reached on Friday in his defamation trial. Trump was ordered to pay $83.3 million to E. Jean Carroll for defaming her in 2019. Trump's lawyer, Alina Habba, addressed reporters outside the New York City courthouse, confirming their immediate plans to appeal the verdict.

Carroll, in an interview with ABC News' George Stephanopoulos, expressed her desire to allocate the money to something Donald Trump despises. "I'd like to give the money to something Donald Trump hates," she said, before hinting at a fund for women who claimed to have been sexually assaulted by him.

However, during another stop on her media tour, she bragged about plans for extravagant purchases with MSNBC's Rachel Maddow, including a penthouse and a fishing trip to France. 

"First thing Rachel, you and I are gonna go shopping!" she exclaimed. "We're gonna get complete new wardrobes, new shoes, motorcycle for [Carroll's attorney Shawn] Crowley, a new fishing rod for Robbie [Carroll's attorney Roberta Kaplan]- Rachel, what do you want? A penthouse? It's yours, Rachel! Penthouse and France? You want France? You want to go fishing in France? No?"

"If me fishing in France could do something for women's rights. I would take the hit. I would take one for the team," Maddow quipped. 

As legal battles persist, Trump has vehemently denied all allegations of sexual misconduct brought against him, Newsweek reported.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.