President Donald Trump knows how to set social media alight. This time he was aboard Air Force One when all hell broke loose and verbally attacked a reporter. But, this time around, his words were only a byline in the other story going down. During a press conference, sharp-eyed observers spotted what appeared to be a thick layer of makeup on the back of Trump’s hand. According to The Mirror, the greasepaint was almost as controversial as the exchange itself.
Many people chimed in and gave their opinions on the president’s skin. The incident unfolded during a press conference surrounding questions about the late Jeffrey Epstein.
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As Trump answered hard-and-fast questions from reporters, tension escalated when a Bloomberg journalist pressed him for answers, according to Newsweek. Responding to her, the president raised his hand and, with frustration, sharply told the reporter, “Quiet, quiet, piggy.” The moment could and would have ended there, but the sight of Trump’s visibly made-up hand drew further controversy.It fueled a storm of commentary and speculation online.
It was by no means the first time Trump’s hands have drawn headlines. For months, images of the 79-year-old’s right hand have been floating about on the interwebs. There seems to be a recurring, dark bruise on the back of his hand. Sometimes the bruise is on full display and he wears no makeup, while at other times, it appears hidden beneath some heavy makeup. His made-up hand has rarely gone unnoticed in the world of modern politics, where everything is quickly photographed and streamed online.
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However, Trump’s skin, is not just a matter of vanity or optics, according to official statements. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt previously addressed the growing concern over Trump’s bruising. She has said that the discoloration on his hand is due to routine handshaking and the president’s prescribed use of aspirin, commonly taken as a cardiovascular preventative.
Dr. Barbabella, the White House physician, echoed the explanation, noting, “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.”
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The physician also recently revealed that Trump has been diagnosed with a chronic vein condition after swelling was observed in his legs. She told the public this fact after Trump’s physical exam at Walter Reed Medical Center last month.
Despite the medical reassurances, the incident reignited rumors and memes across social media, where detractors and supporters alike dissected every detail. Some speculated about the health of Trump, tying the use of makeup to efforts at concealing more serious underlying conditions. Others took a lighter tone, making fun of Trump’s distinctive appearance and the reality-TV drama of the altercation.
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All the while, the controversy over Trump’s verbal jabs at the press only grew as critics condemned the “piggy” remark as disrespectful and unpresidential. For his most ardent followers, however, the brashness was less a gaffe and more a showcase of Trump’s signature, no-holds-barred approach to the media.
Whether the public fixation is on Trump’s cosmetic cover-up or his blunt exchanges with the press, one thing remains certain: Trump continues to command attention. And as we have seen in the past, the POTUS will continue to hone his image ahead of another election season.
As headlines swirl around everything from his health to his temperament, moments like these are media gold. They provide ample fuel for his supporters, critics, and late-night comedians. Donald Trump, makeup, and “piggy” saga is just a reminder that in politics, sometimes the spectacle is as captivating as the story itself.
