Donald Trump has sparked fresh health fears after commentators spotted bruising spreading up from his hand to his arm. Speculation about the US leader’s cognitive and physical abilities has gained momentum in recent months after his 80th birthday and amid instances of public memory loss and bodily bruising and swelling.

The White House said last year that discolouration on Mr Trump’s right hand was the result of extensive handshaking combined with his daily aspirin routine. But eagle-eyed viewers noticed that the bruising had spread to his left hand in January, with recent photos appearing to also show it creeping up his arm.

The president was sporting a new bruise on his upper left hand during a Cabinet meeting at Camp David on Friday.

Independent journalist Aaron Rupar shared a photo of the new marking on X, alongside the caption: “Trump’s left hand (not the right one that is usually mangled) is discoloured. Picture is from his cabinet meeting today.”

Mr Trump has previously attempted to conceal the bruising with thick makeup.

His wider wellbeing was called into question after he became an octogenarian in June, with former Obama staffer Rahm Emanuel expressing doubt to the New York Times about whether “somebody at 80-years-old has the physical stamina, the mental stamina for that office”.

The White House has refused to acknowledge that Mr Trump is in anything other than “perfect” health, however.

His personal physician Sean Barbarella said he demonstrated “strong cardiac, pulmonary, neurological and overall physical function” during a check-up in the spring.

Taking to Truth Social following the examination, Mr Trump added: “I just finished a perfect physical at Walter Reed [National Military Medical Centre], I do it every six months, and I requested another Cognitive Test, the only President to do so, three times, and I aced them all.”