The White House has confirmed that President Donald Trump has been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) following a medical evaluation prompted by swelling observed in his lower legs. The announcement was made publicly by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who addressed questions during a press briefing after photos and videos showed noticeable swelling around the president’s ankles. According to Leavitt, the president underwent vascular testing as a precaution, and the diagnosis was communicated transparently to the public. A written memorandum from the president’s physician was also released, outlining the findings and emphasizing that the condition is common, manageable, and not considered life-threatening
Chronic venous insufficiency is a circulatory condition in which veins in the legs have difficulty returning blood to the heart, often due to weakened or damaged valves. This can lead to blood pooling in the lower extremities, resulting in swelling, discomfort, or a feeling of heaviness in the legs. Medical experts cited in news coverage note that CVI is particularly common among older adults and increases in prevalence with age. According to the White House physician, diagnostic tests ruled out more serious conditions such as deep vein thrombosis, arterial disease, or heart failure. The evaluation included ultrasound imaging and other vascular assessments, all of which showed no evidence of acute or dangerous complications
The White House emphasized that the president’s overall health remains strong. In the physician’s memo, Trump was described as being in “excellent general health”, with normal cardiac function and no indications of systemic illness. The statement clarified that chronic venous insufficiency is considered a benign and manageable condition and does not impair the president’s ability to carry out the duties of office. Standard management strategies for CVI may include lifestyle adjustments such as leg elevation, compression garments, regular movement, and monitoring, though the White House did not disclose specific treatment details. Officials stressed that no change has been recommended to the president’s daily schedule or professional responsibilities as a result of the diagnosis
In addition to questions about leg swelling, reporters also asked about visible bruising on the president’s hand that had appeared in recent photographs. The White House addressed this separately, stating that the bruising was consistent with minor soft-tissue irritation and was likely caused by frequent handshaking combined with routine aspirin use. Medical staff indicated that this finding was unrelated to the venous condition and not a cause for concern. No evidence of injury, trauma, or underlying disease was reported in connection with the bruising. News organizations noted that similar explanations have been provided in the past for comparable observations during public appearances
Major U.S. and international news outlets, including CBS News, ABC News, PBS NewsHour, and Al Jazeera, reported the diagnosis consistently, highlighting that chronic venous insufficiency is widespread among aging populations and is not unusual for someone of the president’s age. Medical experts interviewed by these outlets reinforced that CVI does not typically limit physical activity or cognitive function when properly managed. Coverage emphasized that the disclosure followed standard medical transparency practices and was prompted by public observation rather than a medical emergency. No outlet reported that the condition had caused hospitalization, interruption of public duties, or changes to official travel or campaign schedules
In summary, the confirmed facts are that President Donald Trump was evaluated by medical professionals after leg swelling was noticed, diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, and found to have no serious or life-threatening vascular disease. The White House publicly disclosed the diagnosis through Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and released a physician’s statement affirming the president’s strong overall health. The condition is common, especially in older adults, and is considered manageable with routine care. Reports of broader physical decline, political impact, or disruption to official duties have not been supported by verified medical statements or credible news reporting. The available information reflects a straightforward medical disclosure without evidence of acute health risk or impairment