WASHINGTON (BN24) — President Donald Trump has been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, a vein condition common in older adults, the White House said Thursday, after days of public speculation over images showing bruises on the president’s hand and swelling in his legs.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the diagnosis followed a “comprehensive exam,” including a vascular study, after Trump experienced noticeable swelling in his legs. She attributed the bruising on his hand to tissue damage caused by frequent handshaking, combined with his use of aspirin, which she noted is part of a standard cardiovascular prevention regimen.
Trump, 79, has long boasted of his physical fitness, once calling himself “the healthiest president that’s ever lived.” The recent diagnosis, according to officials, does not suggest any major health concerns.
Chronic venous insufficiency occurs when the veins in the legs fail to efficiently return blood to the heart, causing it to pool in the lower extremities. This can lead to swelling, discomfort, and in some cases, visible skin changes such as bruising.
White House physician Dr. Sean Barbabella released a written statement confirming the diagnosis, calling the condition “benign and common,” particularly in individuals over the age of 70. He emphasized that Trump showed “no evidence of deep vein thrombosis or arterial disease,” and that “all test results were within normal limits.”
Barbabella further clarified that additional testing ruled out any signs of heart failure, kidney problems, or systemic illness. “President Trump remains in excellent health,” the doctor wrote.
The president’s health became a subject of renewed online scrutiny after photographs taken at the FIFA Club World Cup final in New Jersey on July 13 showed his legs appearing swollen. Days later, additional images from a White House meeting with Bahraini Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa revealed bruises on Trump’s hand. Similar marks had also been visible in photos from his February meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron.
Speculation over Trump’s condition spread rapidly across social media, prompting the White House to issue Thursday’s clarification.
Trump, who was sworn in for his second term in January at age 78, is the oldest person ever to be inaugurated as president. In his most recent annual physical conducted in April, Barbabella noted the president “exhibits cognitive and physical health.”
With the November election drawing closer, Trump’s health remains a key concern for voters. However, Thursday’s statement appeared intended to put to rest any rumors surrounding his condition, reinforcing his longstanding claims of good health.
