Trump’s Granddaughter Accidentally Reveals How Long He’s Had Hand Issues
Trump’s Granddaughter Accidentally Reveals How Long He’s Had Hand Issues
Clues about Donald Trump’s health were in his granddaughter’s YouTube vlogs all along.
Kai Trump, 18, unintentionally revealed through an Instagram post on Wednesday that Trump has been nursing a bruised hand since November, before he even returned to the White House.
“One year ago, I started my YouTube channel not knowing what to expect… and it’s turned into something so special,” the president’s eldest granddaughter wrote in a post commemorating the anniversary of her YouTube journey.
The 16-slide carousel included a photo of her and Trump that she first posted on election night last year.
Kai’s election night vlog showed that the photo was taken in Mar-a-Lago, where Trump held a watch party as results trickled in.
But a key detail that slipped through the cracks last year was the makeup slathered on top of Trump’s right hand as he posed for a photo next to his granddaughter.
Trump first addressed the bruising on his hand in a December 2024 interview with TIME magazine, when he explained simply that “it’s from shaking hands with thousands of people.”
The mismatched makeup has since become a fixture in Trump’s myriad public appearances, generating wild speculations about the state of his health at his advanced age of 79.
The White House began parroting Trump’s explanation for the bruising in February, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt telling NBC News at the time that the president “has bruises on his hand because he’s constantly working and shaking hands all day every day.”
In July, the White House published a memo from Trump’s physician Sean Barbabella indicating that the bruising was “consistent with minor soft tissue irritation from frequent handshaking and the use of aspirin, which is taken as part of a standard cardiovascular prevention regimen.”“This is a well-known and benign side effect of aspirin therapy,” Barbabella wrote.
The same memo revealed that Trump’s swollen ankles—another part of his body that has raised health concerns—were caused by chronic venous insufficiency, a common condition where veins struggle to push blood back to the heart.
The White House claims Donald Trump's bruises are the result of rigorous handshaking by the president. / Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Psychologists and political foes alike have also floated the possibility that Trump has dementia, following multiple mental flubs, including forgetting his own inauguration year and the name of the Homeland Security secretary he appointed.“We have to see a major deterioration in functioning in language and thinking and psychomotor performance and impulse control and a whole variety of areas... There are times when he’s really unable to complete a thought. Sometimes he’s unable to complete a word,” Dr. John Gartner told the Daily Beast Podcast.
The president's swollen ankles have made multiple appearances. / Photo Illustration by Thomas Levinson/The Daily Beast/Getty
Despite the hand bruises, cankles, and multiple mental flubs, however, the White House has repeatedly insisted that all is well with Trump.
“President Donald J. Trump remains in exceptional health, exhibiting strong cardiovascular, pulmonary, neurological, and physical performance,” Barbabella said in an October medical report.
The White House did not immediately return a request for comment on Wednesday.
Kai Trump sets record straight on her love life in telling new video
Kai Trump, the eldest daughter of Donald Trump Jr. and Vanessa Trump, is an avid golfer and budding YouTube star
Kai Trump shared insight into her love life in a Q&A session posted to YouTube, and revealed how she really felt about dating. The 18-year-old answered a slew of fan questions in the video, including one that asked: "Are you single?"
"I'm kind of talking to a guy right now, we might go to prom together," she responded. "So yeah, I'm like yes…no…kind of…figuring it out."
Kai, the eldest grandchild of Donald Trump, and the daughter of Donald Trump Jr. and his ex-wife, Vanessa Trump, is currently in her senior year at school and is set to begin studying at the University of Miami in the fall of 2026.
© YouTube/Kai Trump
Kai shared that she had a date to her prom
The social media personality opened up in an interview on the Impaulsive podcast about the difficulties of dating while having her own Secret Service team on hand at all times.
"To be honest with you, it's really awkward when you're sitting and going on a date with a guy, and [the Secret Service are] like two tables behind you. It's a little weird," she admitted.
"But I try my best not to let it bother me, and I think I've learned especially over the past year now…I've had to learn to [think] yes, they're following me, but also focus and pretend like they're not there."
© Getty Images
She admitted that having a security detail was an adjustment
Although Kai's life changed when her grandfather became president for the second time in 2025, she shared that her parents have tried to keep their children as grounded as possible.
Learn more about Kai's golfing passion below...
"My mom let us have our own opinions, and she's very much like me, like she's very calm, she's very chill, she likes hearing people out," she said on the podcast. "Obviously my dad, I love him, but he just goes to war online."
"My parents have always had us [have] our own opinions," she added. "Nothing was ever pushed upon us. I just happen to be a granddaughter of the president." When she's not creating YouTube videos, Kai is an avid golfer and is set to join the golfing team at the University of Miami.
© Getty Images
Kai is the eldest daughter of Donald Trump Jr. and Vanessa Trump
"I am super excited to be a Cane and represent the University of Miami. Gooo Canes!" she shared on Instagram in 2024. "I would like to thank my mom, Vanessa, and my dad, Don, for always supporting me through my journey. I would also like to thank my great team for getting me to this point. I would like to thank my Grandpa for giving me access to great courses and tremendous support."
© Getty Images
She is an avid golfer
Kai's golfing dream hit a speed bump in January when she was forced to undergo surgery on her wrist due to a sporting injury. "Today, I underwent left wrist surgery to address injuries to the stabilizing tissues of my ECU tendon and damage to my fibrocartilage complex," she wrote on social media.
"The surgery was successfully performed at the Lehigh Valley Orthopedic Institute by Dr Thomas Graham, Chief of Jefferson Orthopedics. I look forward to my rehab in the coming months. I am excited for the ability to play golf pain-free."
Donald Trump emerges from the White House after controversial Easter message
The US president made a stop to the Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia
Donald Trump emerged from the White House on Sunday after he shared a highly controversial Easter message on his social platform, Truth Social.
The US president was photographed leaving Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia, after making a brief stop on Easter Sunday.
Dressed in a white tee and matching cap, Trump appeared composed as he exited the private club, waving to onlookers before heading back toward The White House.
© Getty Images
US President Donald Trump leaves Trump National Golf Club on Easter Sunday
The appearance came just hours after a post that quickly ignited backlash and debate online. In the message, Trump referenced escalating tensions involving Iran, writing: "Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran." He followed with a stark warning: "There will be nothing like it!!! Open the Fin’ Strait, you crazy b**ds, or you’ll be living in Hell - JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah. President DONALD J. TRUMP."
The tone and language of the post, particularly its timing on Easter Sunday, drew swift reactions from both supporters and critics with some saying it was 'unhinged'. Chuck Schumer, a senior Senate Democrat, said: "The president of the United States is ranting like an unhinged madman on social media … He’s threatening possible war crimes and alienating allies. This is who he is, but this is not who we are. Our country deserves so much better."
Majorie Taylor Greene a former Trump ally even said they needed to intervene from his madness. "Everyone in his administration that claims to be a Christian needs to fall on their knees and beg forgiveness from God and stop worshipping the President and intervene in Trump’s madness,” she continued. “I know all of you and him and he has gone insane, and all of you are complicit," she said.
© Getty Images
Both supporters and critics of Donald Trump say his post was 'unhinged'
Many questioned the appropriateness of the message on a religious holiday typically associated with peace and reflection, while others focused on the geopolitical implications of the remarks.
His appearance comes after rumors began circulating on Saturday, April 4 2026 with social media users claiming the 79-year-old president was receiving treatment at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
The claims quickly gained traction, fuelled by unverified reports of road closures and possible flight restrictions in the area.
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Donald Trump departing Walter Reed Medical Center in 2025
In response, a White House spokesperson moved to shut down the speculation, directing media outlets to a statement shared on X by communications director Steven Cheung.
"There has never been a President who has worked harder for the American people than President Trump," Steven wrote. "On this Easter weekend, he has been working nonstop in the White House and Oval Office. God Bless him."
The administration also addressed the rumors more directly via its Rapid Response 47 account, pushing back on the narrative and criticising those spreading the claims.
© Getty Images
Donald's friendship with disgraced paedophile Jeffrey Epstein spanned several decades
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"Deranged liberals cook up insane conspiracy theories when @POTUS goes 12 hours without speaking to press," the post read, adding: "Fear not! President Trump literally never stops working."
Further adding to the clarification, CBS News White House correspondent Emma Nicholson shared an update from outside the West Wing, noting that a Marine sentry was stationed at the entrance – a traditional signal that the president is inside and working.ed
