UPDATE: President Donald Trump has been diagnosed with a “benign and common” vein condition known as chronic venous insufficiency after experiencing swelling in his legs, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced on Monday. This diagnosis follows observations of swollen ankles during his appearance at the World Cup soccer final in New Jersey over the weekend.
The condition, according to Johns Hopkins and the Cleveland Clinic, occurs when veins in the legs struggle to return blood to the heart. Leavitt stated that Trump, who is 79 years old, underwent a comprehensive health examination after noticing the swelling, which revealed no serious issues such as deep vein thrombosis or arterial disease.
Leavitt emphasized that the president’s physician confirmed he remains in excellent overall health, stating, “The president was thoroughly evaluated out of an abundance of caution.” The evaluation included diagnostic vascular studies, and bilateral lower extremity venous Doppler ultrasounds were performed, confirming the chronic venous insufficiency diagnosis.
All tests, including a complete blood count and a comprehensive metabolic panel, showed results within normal limits. An echocardiogram also confirmed normal cardiac structure and function, with no evidence of heart function impairment or systemic illness.
Photos capturing minor bruising on Trump’s hand were noted by Leavitt, explaining that this is consistent with minor soft tissue irritation from frequent handshaking and the use of aspirin, part of his standard cardiovascular prevention regimen.
This diagnosis comes at a time when public interest in the health of the former president is heightened, particularly given his high-profile status and age. As the nation watches, the White House is expected to release further details regarding his health in the coming days.
Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.
