On Monday, President Donald Trump met with French President Emmanuel Macron at the White House, but it wasn’t just their tense handshakes that captured attention.
Social media users quickly zeroed in on a visible bruise on Trump’s right hand, sparking widespread speculation about his health.
A Suspicious Bruise Raises Concerns
The 78-year-old former president was seen sporting a significant bruise on his hand, which immediately raised questions online.
Some on social media speculated that the bruise might be an ‘IV bruise,’ wondering if Trump had recently been dehydrated and given fluids.
Other users pondered whether the mark could be linked to a vitamin deficiency or another medical issue.
This isn’t the first time Trump has been seen with visible bruising, as some pointed out that he has had bandages and marks in previous photos too.
The ongoing scrutiny of his health led to more unsubstantiated theories about the White House possibly hiding the truth about his medical condition.
Social Media Theories About the Bruise
Several social media users took to platforms like X to discuss what the bruise could indicate.
“I think it kinda looks like an IV bruise, like he’s been dehydrated,” one user suggested.
Others agreed, speculating that it happens to Trump frequently, noting that many photos show bruises or bandages on his hands.
There were also lighter comments, with some claiming that Trump’s age might explain why he bruises easily.
“He’s old, and old people bruise easily,” one tweet read, while another joked about his golf cart habits, saying, “If he fell, he’d look like a giant purple grape.”
Critics Question Trump’s Health Transparency
The sight of the bruise also led some to wonder whether Trump’s health is being hidden from the public.
Critics took to social media, asking, “What aren’t we being told about his health?” and speculating about the reasons behind his refusal to release his full medical records.
One user even went as far as to compare Trump’s condition to that of Queen Elizabeth II before her passing, despite no official information suggesting Trump is unwell.
The Handshakes and Physical Encounters With Macron
During the meeting with Macron, the two leaders engaged in several awkward handshakes, which have become a signature part of their relationship.
The first handshake outside the White House lasted a prolonged 12 seconds, which was typical of their tense encounters.
Inside the Oval Office, Trump made another uncomfortable physical move by placing his hand on Macron’s leg, prompting the French president to turn the moment into yet another handshake.
Later, during a press conference, the two locked hands again, with Trump twisting Macron’s arm in what looked like another power struggle.
Despite these odd exchanges, Trump appeared in good spirits, smiling alongside Macron during their time in Washington.
Body Language Experts Weigh In
Body language expert Judi James analyzed the handshakes, calling the one outside the White House a “death clasp.”
She suggested that these handshakes were a way for both leaders to signal power and dominance, especially as global issues, like the war in Ukraine, were on the agenda.
These intense handshakes between the two have been a recurring feature of their relationship since their first meeting in 2017.
The Long History of Trump and Macron’s Awkward Handshakes
Their most famous handshake occurred in May 2017, when they gripped each other’s hands so tightly that their knuckles turned white.
Macron later said the handshake was meant to send a message to Trump, showing that he wouldn’t be intimidated.
Their intense handshakes continued throughout Trump’s presidency, and their encounters in the years since have kept the tradition alive, making headlines each time they meet.
As speculation about Trump’s health continues, social media users are left to wonder if his bruised hand is a sign of something more serious or just another strange detail in the ongoing saga of his tense relationship with Macron.