The White House has given a somewhat dubious explanation to the large bruise sighted on President Donald Trump’s hand earlier this week.

Trump’s meeting with French president Emmanuel Macron on Monday, February 24 made headlines for all manner of reasons. Yet in the aftermath of the engagement, it was a nasty-looking bruise on the POTUS’ paw that drew commentary on social media.

After a close-up picture of the bruise – which covers a large area of the back of Trump’s right hand – found its way to the internet, a discussion began to take place. Many have weighed in to share what they believe could have caused such an injury, but the main sentiment was that of concern.

The question on people’s lips was this: Is the bruise tied to a health issue the president is suffering from that has been kept quiet?

Needless to say, pretty much anything you chance to read on social media should be taken as conjecture unless there’s pretty substantial evidence to back it up. Which is why those hoping to get an answer might have breathed a sigh of relief when White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed the matter.

That was until her answer proved to be less than what the majority had hoped for, with some people going so far as to accuse her of lying.

Of Trump’s bruise, Leavitt said: “President Trump is a man of the people and he meets more Americans and shakes their hands on a daily basis than any other president in history.

“His commitment is unwavering and he proves that every single day.”

In a follow-up statement, she stressed her point again, stating: “President Trump has bruises on his hand because he’s constantly working and shaking hands all day every day.”

As mentioned above, there were people online who cast their aspersions as to the validity of Leavitt’s explanation.

“Why even lie? It’s obviously an IV bruise for blood testing or something. Is it a surprise to people that Trump is old and gets regular physician visits?” one wrote on X.

Another penned: “The White House just said the mysterious makeup-covered bruise on Trump’s right hand is because he is ‘shaking hands all day every day’. Yeah, no. Nope. Turns out we’re not nearly that stupid.”