Trump Diagnosed With Common Vein Condition, White House Says There’s No Cause for Alarm

President Donald Trump has been diagnosed with “chronic venous insufficiency” — a condition where leg veins struggle to send blood back to the heart — after recent signs of leg swelling and some visible bruising on his hands sparked speculation about his health.

White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt addressed reporters on Thursday, calling the issue a “benign and common condition,” especially in people over 70. She cited a letter from Trump’s physician confirming the diagnosis and emphasized there’s nothing to worry about.

The 79-year-old president — the oldest to ever hold the office — has made a point of targeting age and cognitive fitness on the campaign trail, especially when it came to former President Joe Biden. Ironically, Biden, three years older than Trump, ended up dropping out of the 2024 race under pressure from within his own party, leaving Kamala Harris to take the Democratic ticket — and eventually lose to Trump.

But back to Trump: Leavitt assured the press there’s “no evidence” of more serious issues like “deep vein thrombosis or arterial disease.” She said Trump’s heart, kidneys, and overall health all checked out “within normal limits,” with “no signs of heart failure, renal impairment or systemic illness.”

As for the bruises on Trump’s hands? Leavitt said they were “consistent with minor soft tissue irritation from frequent handshaking and the use of aspirin,” something Trump reportedly takes for cardiovascular prevention.

Still, the images of his bruised hands made the rounds online, fueling a fresh wave of health rumors — not uncommon in the era of presidential scrutiny.

While there’s no law that requires presidents to disclose their medical history, it’s become a tradition. Trump’s approach to this hasn’t always been conventional. Back in 2015, during his first campaign, his doctor Harold Bornstein released a flashy note declaring Trump would be “the healthiest individual ever elected to the presidency.” Bornstein later admitted Trump had written the letter himself.

With input from Al Jazeera