Politics'What the H--- Is Going On?': Donald Trump's Swollen Hands Sparks Health Concerns
New photos of Donald Trump's heavily caked on, makeup-slathered hands sparked concern of his 'deterioration' and failing health.
May 7 2026, Published 10:07 a.m. ET
Shocking new photos of President Donald Trump at a White House event on Wednesday, May 6, showed his hands with noticeable discoloration, bruising, red marks, and thick, uneven makeup, triggering renewed, widespread speculation about his health.
Images and videos showed apparent bruising or dark blotches on both of Trump's hands.
Observers described the marks as covered in a thick, patchy layer of concealer or bronzer, with some calling it "wet brown cardboard" and "bad makeup," prompting speculation that he was trying to hide a recurring injury.
Donald Trump's bruising sparked new rumors.
Social media users and media commentators expressed concerns about the president's health.
Social media users and media commentators expressed concerns about the 79-year-old president's physical health, with some comparing the symptoms to previous, similar sightings of "discolored" and "swollen" hands and ankles — also known as cankles.
Social media observers showed the president no mercy for his frail hands, with one quipping, “You would think that for all the money he's taken from us, his makeup artist would be able to match his thin, decrepit skin better.”
"Every journalist should be asking what the h--- is going on with this guy's health that they aren't telling us," wrote The Lincoln Project.
Donald Trump's ankles have been swollen as of late.
"The U.S. president is visibly deteriorating in front of everyone. Most Americans think he is mentally and physically unfit to serve, yet the mainstream media barely says a word. Why?" wrote the Republicans Against Trump account.
"That is a lot of bad makeup," wrote tennis titan Martina Navratilova.
“He’s rotting from the inside out,” snapped another.
“The bruising is from Melania always swatting his hands away, and I’m surprised his creepy pinky finger hasn’t showed up in a splint,” joked another of a viral video of the FLOTUS appearing to flick the POTUS’ hands away during a White House state dinner photo op.
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The White House claims Donald Trump is in good health.
When reached for comment by The Daily Beast, which has been intrepid in covering the president’s physical deterioration, the White House replied with its usual canned answer that Trump is “the sharpest, most accessible, and energetic president in American history.”
“The president 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. President Trump’s commitment is unwavering, and he proves that every single day,” White House spokesperson Davis Ingle said.
One doctor said he looks 'unwell.'
Despite their insistence that he is the perfect specimen of health, outside medical experts and doctors aren’t buying it.
Dr. Jonathan Reiner, a cardiologist and professor of medicine at George Washington University, stated in December 2025, "I'm seriously concerned about the health of the president... He looks unwell.”
He later noted that Trump appeared to be struggling with "excessive daytime somnolence," or repeated instances of falling asleep during public events, which Reiner says needs to be seriously evaluated.
