White House secretary Karoline Leavitt confirms President Trump suffers from Chronic Venous Insufficiency

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has confirmed that President Trump has been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency.

The condition is caused by improper blood circulation, and it culminates in swelling in the lower legs. Leavitt announced the news on July 17, 2025, adding that it followed a thorough evaluation on the part of the White House's medical unit.

The disclosure came on the heels of speculation online with regard to bruising observed on Trump's hands, which she attributed to

“minor soft tissue irritation from frequent handshaking and the use of aspirin." She added, “In the effort of transparency, the president wanted me to share a note from his physician with all of you today."

Everything we know about President Trump's ailment:

Per the New York Post, Karoline Leavitt said in her statement:

“In recent weeks, President Trump noted mild swelling in his lower legs. In keeping with routine medical care, and out of an abundance of caution, this concern was thoroughly evaluated by the White House medical unit.”

She said,

“The president underwent a comprehensive examination, including diagnostic vascular studies. Bilateral lower extremity venous doppler ultrasounds were performed and revealed chronic venous insufficiency … a common condition, particularly in individuals over the age of 70.”

She added:

“Importantly, there was no evidence of deep vein thrombosis or arterial disease … An echocardiogram was also performed and confirmed normal cardiac structure and function, no signs of heart failure, renal impairment or systemic illness were identified additionally.”

As of this writing, it remains unclear how Trump, 79, will be treated for this condition. Leavitt went on,

“Recent photos of the president have shown minor bruising on the back of his hand. This is 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 and the president remains in excellent health, which I think all of you witness on a daily basis here.”

As reported by CBS News, Johns Hopkins and the Cleveland Clinic note that chronic venous insufficiency occurs when veins in the legs are unable to direct blood back up to the heart effectively. Leavitt did affirm that the president's overall health is in excellent condition.

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