Originally published on 1/23/26

While speaking at the World Economic Forum (WEF) on Thursday, January 22, in Davos, Switzerland, President Donald Trump’s left hand appeared to have a massive bruise on it. The photos came after months of discussions surrounding the president’s hand health, and doctors say it could be a result of his aspirin intake. We share everything you need to know about this symptom, including  other causes of hand bruising and how to heal a bruise quickly, below.  

What caused the bruising on President Trump’s hand? 

It seems everyone was wondering what happened to Trump, 79, to cause the unsightly marks. The answer is not all that exciting, according to his press secretary, Karoline Leavitt. “At the Board of Peace event today in Davos, President Trump hit his hand on the corner of the signing table, causing it to bruise,” she said in a statement, per CNN. 

The president confirmed the rumors, telling the news outlet, “I clipped it on the table. I put a little—what do they call it?—cream on it. But I clipped it.” 

Prior to this, in 2025 the president was seen with bruises on both of his hands in 2025. At the time, he was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, a condition in which veins (often in the legs) don’t work properly. It can cause blood to pool and result in swelling and bruising.

“President Trump has bruises on his hand because he’s constantly working and shaking hands all day every day,” Leavitt told reporters in February 2025, when the bruising was first noticed. 

Other causes of hand bruising 

While we’ve all experienced bruising like Trump’s after an accident, fall or other minor mishap, James J. Chao, MD, FACS, co-founder and chief medical officer at VedaNu Wellness, says sometimes there are other causes of bruising that have nothing to do with injury.

“Medications, including aspirin and daily doses of anticoagulant [blood thinners], can create a scenario where bruising can occur with the simplest activities, such as opening a jar of pickles or pulling a heavy drawer,” he explains. “Even your diet plays a specific role. Not getting enough vitamin C or bioflavonoids [a plant compound found in fruit and vegetables] can lead to weaker perivascular support.” 

President Trump told reporters that his aspirin intake was most likely part of the problem for him. 

“I would say, take aspirin if you like your heart, but don’t take aspirin if you don’t want to have a little bruising,” the president told CNN. “I take the big aspirin, and when you take the big aspirin, they tell you, you bruise. The doctor said, ‘You don’t have to take that, sir, you’re very healthy.’ I said, ‘I’m not taking any chances.’”

How to treat a bruised hand 

The best remedy for bruising is ice, says Will Haas, MD, founder and CEO of VYVE Wellness. “Apply an ice pack to your hand for 10-minute increments to help it fade. Then apply some arnica [an herbal extract found in creams, gels and oils that boasts healing properties] to your hand and elevate it.” 

When to see a doctor about hand bruising 

If you experience  consistent bruising, Dr.Haas advises seeing a doctor as soon as possible, especially if the mark isn’t a result of an injury. “When it happens to your hands, and it wasn’t caused by any trauma, and when it also happens to your nose or your gums, and when it also presents as small red or purple dots all over your body, it’s best to see a doctor to see if it’s caused by a platelet or blood-clotting disorder.”

Link to original: https://www.womansworld.com/wellness/hand-bruising-causes-behind-president-trumps-bruising