US President Donald Trump suffers from venous insufficiency, the White House confirmed. Trump spokeswoman Carolyn Leavitt announced at a press conference at the White House that doctors had diagnosed the 79-year-old president with "chronic venous insufficiency".
This is a "benign and common condition, especially in people over 70 years of age", Leavitt specified, adding that there is no evidence of deep vein thrombosis or arterial disease. "The president remains in excellent health," the spokeswoman assured.
Frequent handshakes
Recently, the media has repeatedly speculated about President Trump's condition, writes the German public media ARD. Photos and videos showed swollen ankles and bruises on his hands, some of which were apparently covered up with makeup. Leavitt attributed them to the president's frequent handshakes, the publication said.
The bruises could also be a side effect of aspirin, which Trump takes as an anti-inflammatory to prevent heart disease. However, his heart and kidneys are fine, medical tests show, the spokeswoman was quoted as saying. She cited Trump's personal physician, who said the president was in "excellent health".
Biden's health has become a campaign issue
Ahead of the 2024 US elections, Republicans have made the apparent deteriorating health of Trump's predecessor – Joe Biden a key issue. Trump himself is only three years younger than him. Under intense pressure, Biden dropped out of the race in favor of his running mate, Kamala Harris.
In early June, Trump ordered an investigation to determine whether there was a conspiracy to mislead the public about Biden's health. Trump has accused former president's staff of using a signature-forging machine to forge his signature. Biden, who was diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer in May, called the allegations "ridiculous and untrue," ARD also reported.