Fresh Photo Shows Trump’s Right Hand Still Swollen; Band‑Aid Worn for Third Day

Fresh Photo Shows Trump’s Right Hand Still Swollen; Band‑Aid Worn for Third Day

Photographs from a Thursday signing ceremony show President Donald Trump, 79, wearing a large Band‑Aid on his right hand for a third consecutive day. The bandage and visible bruising appeared as he attended an event with the presidents of the Republic of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo at the Institute of Peace in Washington, D.C.—a building the administration announced this week had been renamed in his honor.

During his opening remarks, Trump kept his hands mostly hidden behind the podium. Later, when he stood beside the lectern as other officials spoke, the adhesive dressing on his right hand was clearly visible; at times he covered it with his left hand. Observers also noted a heavy application of concealer on the hand, apparently used to mask persistent bruising.

Photographers first captured adhesive dressings on the president’s hand earlier in the week, when he arrived at a lengthy Cabinet meeting wearing two Band‑Aids and keeping his hands beneath the desk until he was photographed touching his face. By Wednesday he appeared with a single larger Band‑Aid on the same hand.

The Daily Beast contacted the White House for comment. When asked previously, the White House supplied a prepared response delivered by Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt:

“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. His commitment is unwavering and he proves that every single day.”

The White House has repeatedly pointed to a medical report released on July 17 that diagnosed Trump with chronic venous insufficiency, a circulatory condition in which leg veins do not return blood to the heart as efficiently as normal. The report described the condition as “benign and common” in people over 70 and noted the president is taking aspirin as part of his health regimen.

Reporters also noted moments when Trump appeared drowsy during the events, with his eyelids closing as other officials spoke; aides insisted he remained engaged. As Leavitt told reporters about the Cabinet meeting,

“President Trump was listening attentively and running the entire three‑hour marathon Cabinet meeting.”

At the signing ceremony, the State Department’s announcement about the renaming included the line, “Welcome to the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace,” which the president acknowledged when he praised the venue as a “nice building” and called the occasion a special one focused on peace.

What We Know: Photographs document the continued presence of a Band‑Aid and visible bruising on Trump’s right hand across multiple appearances this week; the White House references an earlier medical report and has provided repeated, similar statements when questioned about his condition. The president’s visible tiredness during some sessions was noted by photographers but disputed by aides.