Trump sparks wild theories after massive bruise is visible on his hand at meeting with Emmanuel Macron

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump sparked speculations about the state of his health after a mysterious bruise was visible on his hand during his meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron at the White House on Monday, February 24, Radar Online reported. 

People on social media attributed the bruise to his handshakes with Macron. The duo shared three gripping handshakes that day before the mark became prominent. Body language expert Judi James described the handshakes as a  "death clasp" which was "more like a tussle than a gesture of mutual respect."

Trump has been engaged in a battle of handshakes with Macron since meeting him during his first term in 2017, ahead of the NATO summit in Brussels, Belgium. Before their meeting on Monday, they made headlines for the gesture in December 2024 when Trump visited Paris as President-elect to attend the reopening of the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral.

Donald Trump's awkward meeting with Emmanuel Macron

As per the Irish Star, the bruise on Donald Trump's hand was captured by eagle-eyed photographers at the White House despite attempts to seemingly cover it with makeup.

During the meeting, Emmanuel Macron, 47, corrected Trump, 78, when he suggested that European countries were assisting Ukraine in their war against Russia in the form of loans.

"No, in fact, to be frank, we paid 60% of the total effort and it was – like the US – loans, guarantees, and grants," said Macron, leading Trump to retort, "If you believe that, it's OK with me."

Macron continued, "Europe is willing to step up to be a stronger partner, to do more on defense and security on this continent, as well as to be a reliable partner."

Trump reiterated his stance on how the war between Ukraine and Russia would have never started had he not lost the White House in 2020 and warned that peace should be restored before the conflict escalates into "World War 3."

"It's time to restore peace, and I think we're going to do it," he said. "We have had some great conversations, including with Russia."

White House tries to brush away concerns about bruise

The White House tried to tamp down on speculations about President Donald Trump’s mysterious bruise and also attributed it to all the handshakes. 

“President Trump is a man of the people, and he meets more Americans and shakes their hands on a daily basis than any other president in history,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told the Daily Beast. “His commitment is unwavering, and he proves that every single day.”

Leavitt told NBC News, “President Trump has bruises on his hand because he’s constantly working and shaking hands all day, every day.”

Trump, 78, previously also made a mention of this in his Time magazine for 2024 Person of the Year issue that a bruise on his right hand was from “shaking hands with thousands of people” when asked about it by the outlet.

Internet speculates on reason behind the bruise on Donald Trump's hand

The bruise on Donald Trump's hand became a viral topic on X (formerly Twitter) after journalist Aaron Rupar uploaded the image with the caption, "Scrolling Getty and couldn't help but notice this photo of a huge bruise on Trump's hand today." 

Social media users had various takes on the reason behind the POTUS bruised hand. "That's the kind of IV bruise you get when you're on blood thinners. What are they pumping him with?" asked one X user.

"Why doesn't he just hit up RFK for some alt-medicine remedies? I'm sure he'll be right as rain!" said another.

"That would be Macron's rap on the knuckles when he told Trump off for lying," one person wrote.

"An IV could have caused that," another speculated.

"Old people bruise easy. Pretty normal," explained one individual.

"Did they try and put orange foundation on this bruise? every makeup artist knows you need to color correct first," expressed another.

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.