A visible mark on President Donald Trump’s right hand was captured on camera during a media appearance, prompting renewed discussion about the cause of bruising that has appeared on the president’s hands multiple times in recent months.
The bruise was filmed by C-SPAN cameras as Trump responded to questions from reporters before a scheduled trip to Pittsburgh for an economic summit. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and Trump have previously attributed such marks to frequent handshakes and the demands of Trump’s schedule.
White House Explanation
Leavitt told Fox News in June that Trump shakes hands with more Americans daily than any other president in history. “His commitment is unwavering and he proves that every single day,” she said at the time.
In a Time magazine interview last year, Trump said bruising on his hand had become routine because he shakes hands with “thousands” of people every day. Medical experts note that bruising becomes more common with age, as skin thins and blood vessels become more fragile.
According to the Mayo Clinic, elderly adults experience increased bruising because their skin loses elasticity and its protective lipid layer. Additionally, certain medications like blood thinners can exacerbate bruising.
A bruise on Trump’s right hand reappeared, which the White House says is from frequent handshakes. A C-SPAN video shows it covered with foundation during a press briefing. pic.twitter.com/uO7Xb9uYdT
— ThoughtsInMotion (@ritika_dhankhar) July 16, 2025
Democratic Approval Ratings Decline
Separate from the hand bruise, a new Quinnipiac University poll released Wednesday shows that 53% of Democratic respondents disapprove of how congressional Democrats are performing. Only 41% expressed approval of the party’s lawmakers.
Among all voters surveyed between June 5-8, just 21% approved of congressional Democrats’ job performance, with 70% disapproving. This 21% approval rating matches an all-time low for the question, which Quinnipiac has tracked since March 2009.
In contrast, 79% of Republican voters approve of congressional Republicans’ performance, while only 13% disapprove. Among all voters, 32% approved of Republicans in Congress, with just over 60% expressing disapproval.
The Democratic Party has faced internal challenges since November’s elections, when Republicans took control of the White House and Senate. Democrats have also seen Republicans gain support among traditionally Democratic voters, including Black, Hispanic, and younger Americans.
This story has been updated. CNN’s Digital team contributed to this report.
