It wasn’t just Trump’s lengthy speech or his unexpected shift on tariffs that drew attention at the World Economic Forum.
Photos of the president’s hand, showing what appeared to be a noticeable bruise, also caught people’s eyes. The mark quickly sparked online speculation about what caused it — and now the White House has addressed the questions directly.
The explanation
The White House has stepped in to clear up growing online chatter after a noticeable bruise appeared on President Donald Trump’s left hand during a high-profile signing ceremony in Davos, Switzerland.
The mark quickly caught the internet’s attention as photos from the Board of Peace signing began circulating, sparking speculation across social media.
But according to the Trump himself, the explanation is far less dramatic than the theories flying around online.
“I clipped it on the table,” he told CNN’s reporter aboard Air Force One.
“I put a little — what do they call it? — cream on it. But I clipped it,” he explained.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt also told Fox News that the bruise was the result of a simple accident. According to her, Trump hit his hand on the corner of the signing table during the event.
A White House official added that the president bruises more easily because he takes a daily aspirin – a routine that has been publicly disclosed by his doctors in the past.
The official also emphasized that the bruise was not visible earlier in the day.
“Bruising was not on the President’s hand at the beginning of the event. Pictures from yesterday and this morning clearly show no previous bruising,” a White House official told Fox.
Not everyone was buying it
But not everyone was convinced by the president’s — or the White House’s — explanation.
“That’s a really odd place for a hand to hit a table while signing something. Unless he slammed it upwards into the table from underneath. Either way, I call BS,” one social media user wrote.
“How many times is he only going to hit the ‘back of his hand’? 😆 At least he’s consistent,” another added.
At the same time, others rushed to Trump’s defense.
“I’m 75 and bruise like this often without knowing how it happened. That’s called being a senior citizen!” one commenter wrote.
“I bumped my side into the edge of a table and bruised up my hip. I’m also half his age. Shit happens,” another posted.
The Aspirin intake
Speaking with CNN, Trump explained that his high dose of aspirin makes him more likely to bruise — something his doctors have previously pointed out.
“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,” Trump said aboard Air Force One. “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.’”
The incident reignited curiosity about Trump’s health, especially given his openness about his aspirin use. In an earlier interview with The Wall Street Journal, Trump explained his reasoning in his trademark blunt style.

“They say aspirin is good for thinning out the blood, and I don’t want thick blood pouring through my heart,” he said. “I want nice, thin blood pouring through my heart. Does that make sense?”
Trump also acknowledged that he takes a large daily dose and isn’t eager to reduce it. “I’m a little superstitious,” he told the Journal.
The bruise comes amid heightened attention to the president’s health, particularly after he was seen covering his hand at public events with bandages or what appeared to be makeup.
Last fall, Trump also drew headlines after revealing he had undergone an MRI, fueling further curiosity. However, the White House later clarified that the imaging was purely precautionary.

In a memo released Dec. 1, White House physician Dr. Sean Barbabella said the president had advanced imaging performed at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center as a preventive measure.
”The purpose of this imaging is preventive: to identify issues early, confirm overall health, and ensure he maintains long-term vitality and function,” Barbabella explained.
The memo went on to stress that there were no health concerns uncovered during the evaluation.
“President Trump’s cardiovascular imaging is perfectly normal. There is no evidence of arterial narrowing impairing blood flow or abnormalities in the heart or major vessels,” Barbabella said. “The heart chambers are normal in size, the vessel walls appear smooth and healthy, and there are no signs of inflammation, or clotting. Overall, his cardiovascular system shows excellent health.”