Trump spotted waving bruised hand at meeting with CBS executives
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump was photographed in high spirits this week, smiling and gesturing animatedly during a meeting with top CBS News executives.
The image, shared Friday, prominently showed the 79-year-old president waving a visibly bruised hand as he laughed alongside network leadership.
Here are the other 60 Minutes executives who were having a great time with President Trump, laughing at his jokes. https://t.co/veHa2t45vj pic.twitter.com/omkutL3BHx
— Steven Cheung (@StevenCheung47) January 16, 2026
Trump appears jovial as bruised hand draws attention in CBS meeting photo
The photo, posted by White House Communications Director Steven Cheung on Friday evening, shows Trump standing with senior CBS News figures while gesturing with his right hand, a hand that has drawn recurring attention in recent months due to visible bruising.
Standing beside Trump were David Reiter, senior vice president of CBS News 24/7, special events and special projects; Tanya Simon, executive producer of 60 Minutes; and Draggan Mihailovich, executive editor of 60 Minutes. The top of CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss’s head also appears in the frame.
“Here are the other 60 Minutes executives who were having a great time with President Trump, laughing at his jokes,” Cheung wrote on X while sharing the image.
The post appeared to be a response to reporting by The Independent highlighting Trump’s unusually warm interaction with Weiss during the same visit.
Steven Cheung defends Trump’s rapport with CBS News leadership
Cheung’s decision to release the image seemed aimed at pushing back against claims that Trump’s meeting with Weiss was uniquely cozy. By showcasing the president smiling alongside multiple senior executives, the White House suggested the atmosphere was broadly cordial rather than exceptional.
Weiss has faced heightened scrutiny within the industry following her decision last month to shelve a ’60 Minutes’ segment on El Salvador’s controversial CECOT megaprison. The report, which focused on allegations of abuse and harsh conditions at the facility housing deported immigrants, was reportedly pulled just hours before it was scheduled to air.
The move fueled criticism of CBS News’ editorial direction since Weiss took over in October 2025.
Trump’s recurring hand bruises continue to spark health speculation
Trump’s bruised hand has been visible in public appearances for months, prompting repeated questions about his health. While the White House has downplayed concerns, the issue continues to draw attention whenever the president gestures or waves.
The president has previously stated that his hands bruise easily due to the use of aspirin, and the White House has attributed the discoloration to frequent handshaking. Trump has occasionally used makeup to conceal the marks, though that has sometimes made them more noticeable.
Despite public curiosity, Trump appeared energetic and relaxed in the CBS meeting photo, showing no signs of discomfort.
CBS News faces criticism over perceived shift in editorial tone
Trump’s meeting with CBS executives comes as the network faces mounting criticism over what some staffers and viewers describe as a more Trump-friendly posture.
According to ‘The Independent’, some CBS employees were reportedly stunned when Weiss greeted Trump with a kiss on the cheek, a gesture one unnamed reporter described as “wildly inappropriate” and outside normal journalistic practice. Another network insider defended Weiss, saying Trump greeted multiple attendees in the same manner.
Beyond ’60 Minutes’, Weiss has reportedly delayed an Anderson Cooper-led segment examining the Trump administration’s decision not to process refugees from South Africa, a story said to be likely to provoke the president.
Ratings struggles and internal criticism add pressure at CBS
CBS News’ broader transformation has also drawn criticism from prominent figures. CBS Evening News, now anchored by Tony Dokoupil, has faced declining ratings and sharp reviews.
During a recent interview, Trump publicly mocked Dokoupil’s salary.
Late-night host Stephen Colbert criticized the interview as underwhelming, while former CBS icon David Letterman bluntly described his old network’s news division as a “wreck.”
