00:00During President Donald Trump's State of the Union address on Tuesday, online discussion
00:04quickly shifted from policy to questions about his health after viewers highlighted moments
00:08from the speech on social media. Some users on X pointed to what they described as a discoloration
00:13on the president's hand as he gripped the podium. Others circulated clips in which they said he
00:17appeared to mispronounce or slightly slur words such as significantly and ago. The observations
00:23prompted renewed debate online about his physical condition. Health concerns have surfaced
00:27periodically during Trump's second term. In July 2025, he was officially diagnosed with chronic
00:32venous insufficiency, or CVI. The condition occurs when leg veins struggle to return blood back to the
00:37heart, causing blood to pool in the lower limbs. The White House physician described the diagnosis
00:42at the time as benign and common for individuals in his age group. Chronic venous insufficiency can
00:48lead to swelling in the legs and ankles, skin changes, and discomfort. In more serious cases,
00:52it may contribute to ulcers, bleeding, or deep vein thrombosis, a type of blood clot. Medical
00:58experts note that the condition becomes more common with age due to weakened vein valves that
01:02affect circulation against gravity. Dr. Matthew Edwards, chair of the Department of Vascular Surgery
01:07at Wake Forest University, previously told the BBC that while CVI can be associated with serious
01:12complications, it is not typically considered a serious condition on its own. He added that an estimated
01:1810 to 35 percent of people in Trump's age group may experience it. Additional risk factors for chronic
01:24venous insufficiency include being overweight, having a history of blood clots, or working in
01:28jobs that require prolonged standing. Trump has previously attributed visible bruising on his hands
01:33to long-term aspirin use, saying he has taken the medication for many years. Meanwhile, online speculation
01:39has continued, fueled by public appearances and routine medical visits. The State of the Union address
01:44was expected to focus on immigration, the economy, and national security. Instead,
01:48clips and images from the event sparked another round of scrutiny over the president's health,
01:53underscoring how closely public appearances are examined in today's political climate.
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