U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrived in the UK on Tuesday for Trump’s second state visit.
As they left Air Force One at Stansted Airport, Melania Trump appeared to cover the president’s hand that had been spotted with a bruise earlier in the day.
The couple walked hand in hand down the airport steps. Trump’s bruised hand was not visible when he met UK officials on the tarmac.
Highlights
- Melania Trump covered President Trump's bruised hand while they arrived in the UK for his second state visit.
- The White House explained that the bruises come from handshakes and aspirin use, part of Trump's cardiovascular care.
- Trump has chronic venous insufficiency, causing swollen ankles, as seen during his UK arrival and public appearances.
From there, the pair boarded Marine One, the presidential helicopter, to travel to the U.S. ambassador’s residence.
Melania Trump appeared to cover Trump's hand that had been spotted with a bruise
Image credits: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images
Trump’s health and his bruised hands have raised concern and scrutiny among social media users.
Observers have noticed bruising on his hands at multiple events, sometimes seemingly covered by makeup.
Trump, 79, was rumored to have died after a lack of meetings was reported for Labor Day, accompanied by images showing bruising on his hand.
The hashtag #TrumpIsDead trended on social media as users questioned his absence.
Trump soon pushed back against the wave of speculation about his health, and declared that he has “never felt better” and was spending the weekend golfing at his Virginia resort.
Image credits: The White House/X
The White House said the bruising comes from frequent handshaking and taking aspirin, which is used to thin the blood.
Dr. Sean Barbarella, one of Trump’s doctors, told reporters, “This is consistent with minor soft tissue irritation from frequent handshaking and the use of aspirin, which is taken as part of a standard cardiovascular prevention regimen.”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt added, “This is a well-known and benign side effect of aspirin therapy. The president remains in excellent health, which I think all of you witness on a daily basis here.”
Image credits: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Leavitt also wrote in a July statement: “President Trump is a man of the people and he meets more Americans and shakes their hands on a daily basis [more] than any other President in history.”
In July, the White House also revealed that Trump has chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), a condition that reduces blood flow in certain parts of the body, including the legs.
The condition can cause swelling, which may explain the president’s recent appearance with swollen ankles, including when he arrived in the UK and descended from Air Force One.
Trump’s bruised hands and swollen ankles have been under scrutiny
Image credits: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
Earlier this month, Trump was photographed biting down on a small blue object at the U.S. Open tennis tournament.
The object sparked more speculation, with people theorizing it could be prescription drugs for blood pressure, Viagra, or antidepressants.
Before leaving Washington, D.C., Trump spoke positively about King Charles. He called the king “a friend” and “an elegant gentleman” who represents the UK well.
On arrival at Stansted, the couple was greeted by the King’s Colour Squadron, forming a guard of honor. US security personnel also conducted standard checks, including scanning attendees with wands.
Image credits: The White House/Flickr
Trump’s visit marks a rare event in U.S.-UK relations. Since 1952, only three other U.S. presidents have made state visits to the UK: George W. Bush in 2003, Barack Obama in 2009, and Trump himself in 2019.
Trump will be meeting King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William, Princess Catherine, and Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The agenda includes investment deals, a technology deal between the U.S. and UK, and discussions on Ukraine and Gaza, migration, and free speech.