President Donald Trump’s skin has become so delicate in his later years that a celebratory high-five with Attorney General Pam Bondi left him with a bleeding hand, according to new reports regarding the president’s health. In a recent interview, the president admitted that Bondi had broken his skin when she accidentally nicked him with her ring during the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.
Why it matters
The admission came as part of a wide-ranging report on Trump’s health, in which the 79-year-old dismissed concerns about his condition and insisted that he is in “perfect” shape. The bleeding incident highlights the physical realities facing the oldest man to assume the presidency. It also sheds light on Trump’s specific medical habits, particularly his refusal to follow doctors’ advice regarding aspirin intake. Trump revealed he takes a large daily dose of aspirin because he wants “nice, thin blood pouring through my heart,” acknowledging that this 25-year habit has caused him to bruise easily.
What to know
“The ring hit the back of my hand, and, yes, there was a slight little cut,” Trump said regarding the incident with Bondi. He further explained that he uses makeup to conceal bruising when his hands get “whacked again by someone,” noting the process takes about 10 seconds.
Beyond the skin issues, the report detailed other accommodations and medical decisions. Trump briefly wore compression socks for leg swelling but stopped because he disliked them, and he has asked staff to slim down his meeting schedule. He also clarified a medical procedure from October, stating he underwent a CT scan—not an MRI as previously rumored—to rule out cardiovascular issues. He expressed regret over the testing, telling The Wall Street Journal, “In retrospect, it’s too bad I took it because it gave them a little ammunition.”
What people are saying
While the president denies having hearing problems or dozing off during public events, claiming he closes his eyes because “it’s very relaxing,” insiders tell a different story. Sources say aides often have to speak loudly in meetings, and cameras have captured him with his eyes closed at various events.
However, his medical team remains publicly supportive. Navy Capt. Sean Barbabella, Trump’s doctor, stated that the president is in “exceptional health.” Similarly, Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, defended the president’s cognitive abilities. “I can’t even think of a single time where he said something where I don’t think he understands the issue here,” Oz said.
What happens next
Despite the scrutiny and physical signs of aging, Trump remains defiant and maintains a vigorous schedule, often fielding questions from journalists several times a day. The White House continues to push back against narratives of decline, providing data such as a Mayo Clinic AI-assisted analysis that estimated the president’s cardiac age to be that of a 65-year-old. As he navigates his second term, the tension between his doctors’ recommendations—such as lowering his aspirin dosage and improving his diet—and his reliance on “good genetics” is likely to continue.
