President Donald Trump has been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced Thursday.
The update came during Leavitt’s daily press briefing following online speculation about discoloration in the president’s hands.
Some social media users had also noted visible swelling in Trump’s ankles in recent public appearances.
Leavitt addressed those concerns directly in her statement to reporters.
“In recent weeks, President Trump noted mild swelling in his lower legs,” Leavitt said. “I know that many in the media have been speculating.”
“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.
.@PressSec on the President Trump’s health: “I know that many in the media have been speculating about bruising on the president’s hand and also swelling in the president’s legs … All results [of a recent physical exam] were within normal limits.” pic.twitter.com/aTjaAusCxw
— CSPAN (@cspan) July 17, 2025
“The president underwent a comprehensive examination, including diagnostic vascular studies,” Leavitt added.
“Bilateral lower extremity venous Doppler ultrasounds were performed and revealed chronic venous insufficiency, a benign and common condition, particularly in individuals over the age of 70,” she said.
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“Importantly, there was no evidence of deep vein thrombosis or arterial disease,” Leavitt clarified.
She added that all laboratory tests, including blood count, metabolic panel, and cardiac biomarkers, were “within normal limits.”
“An echocardiogram was also performed, and confirmed normal cardiac structure and function,” Leavitt said.
She stated that doctors found “no signs of heart failure, renal impairment, or systemic illness.”
Leavitt also addressed recent concerns over minor bruising on the back of Trump’s hand.
“This is consistent with minor soft tissue irritation from frequent handshaking and the use of aspirin,” she said.
Aspirin, she added, “is taken as part of a standard cardiovascular prevention regimen.”
“This is a well-known and benign side effect of aspirin therapy,” Leavitt said.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, chronic venous insufficiency occurs “when veins in your legs are damaged.”
“As a result, these veins can’t manage blood flow as well as they should,” the clinic states.
It adds: “CVI causes blood to pool in your leg veins, leading to high pressure in those veins.”
The clinic also notes that “chronic venous insufficiency usually affects people over age 50” and impacts “about 1 in 20 adults.”
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