Trump’s Bruises Draw Fresh Questions After Hand Explanation

WHO:

Alternet - The article identifies President Donald Trump, former MAGA Illinois lawmaker Joe Walsh, and “Jim Acosta Show” host Jim Acosta.

Alternet - Walsh and Acosta discussed Trump’s health and conduct; the article says they agreed that his health was deteriorating.

Alternet - Walsh described Trump’s rally rhetoric about brown and Black people and Muslims as an effort to excite and mobilize Republican voters.

Alternet - Walsh said, “Most Americans are going to reject that,” while arguing that Trump was trying to scare his voter base.

Alternet - Acosta said Trump had spent considerable time discussing what other men looked like, calling the fixation “weird.”

Alternet - Walsh said he thought Trump was “losing his mind day by day” and mentioned the 25th Amendment.

WHAT:

Drudge Report - A headline reported that bruising on Trump had spread to his face and that speculation was growing.

Alternet - The article describes unexplained bruises on Trump’s face and hands and quotes Acosta saying Trump had talked about his hand hurting: “Maybe that explains the bruises.”

Alternet - Acosta criticized Trump’s focus on projects in Washington, D.C., including a golf course, calling them “insanity projects.”

Alternet - Walsh said he believed Trump was focused on his own money and name rather than gas and diesel prices, beef prices, wage growth, or whether Republicans retained control of Congress.

Alternet - Walsh alleged that Trump sent threatening letters to about 20,000 California voters whom officials believed, erroneously, were non-citizens.

Alternet - Walsh also alleged that Trump directed the Justice Department to target Alaskan elections in advance if Republicans lost.

WHERE:

Alternet - Acosta referred to a golf course in Washington, D.C.; Walsh’s allegations concerned voters in California and elections in Alaska.

WHY:

Alternet - Walsh said Trump used fear about brown and Black people and Muslims taking over America to motivate Republican voters.

Alternet - Walsh attributed Trump’s emphasis on having his name everywhere to insecurity and a desire to leave a legacy.

HOW:

Alternet - Walsh said threatening letters to California voters were intended to intimidate them and keep them from voting.

Alternet - Acosta and Walsh connected Trump’s reported hand pain with the bruising but did not establish its cause.

(UPDATED October 24, 2026 13:06 UTC)

Former MAGA Illinois lawmaker Joe Walsh and “Jim Acosta Show” host Jim Acosta discussed President Trump’s health and conduct, with both saying they believed his health was deteriorating. Unexplained bruises have been reported on Trump’s face and hands, and Acosta noted Trump had mentioned hand pain, but their cause has not been established. Walsh said Trump uses fear about Black and brown people and Muslims to mobilize Republican voters, adding that most Americans would reject that message. Acosta also called Trump’s focus on projects in Washington, including a golf course, “insanity projects,” and described his attention to other men’s appearance as weird. Walsh said Trump seemed more focused on his name and personal wealth than prices, wages, or Republican control of Congress. He also alleged Trump sent intimidating letters to about 20,000 California voters and directed the Justice Department to target Alaska elections in advance if Republicans lost.