Former President Donald Trump was photographed with unusual red markings on his hands last week, prompting curiosity and conspiracy theories from media personalities and critics.
When asked about the marks in a Fox News interview, Trump raised the notion of image manipulation as a possible explanation.
The photos from January 17th seemed to show red discoloration as Trump left his New York City building, Trump Tower, enroute to a court hearing.
Quickly, the media speculated about possible medical or violent causes without evidence. On social media, critics claimed the marks were evidence of untreated syphilis.
Fox News reporter Mark Meredith questioned Trump directly after an unrelated event:
“How’s your hand? It looks better now,” Meredith asked.
“My hand?” Trump responded.
The two had an exchange back-and-forth on what Meredith meant. Meredith described the photographed hand marks and inquired again about the reason.
“Nothing,” Trump responded. “Maybe it was AI.”
Lack of evidence didn’t stop Jimmy Fallon’s Tonight Show from crafting satirical bits joking about odd rationales, without substantiating facts, and said Trump was “finger-painting the face of his new lawyer, Wilson the volleyball.”
Partisan hosts on MSNBC’s Morning Joe similarly theorized on-air about the red marks were from slamming his hands in frustration or using a “magic marker.”
Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung criticized such unproven reactions as further proof that many media outlets have become overly critical of the Republican presidential front-runner.
“The media hysteria and ridiculous commentary from reporters and journalists just proves how unserious some news outlets have become,” Trump campaign spokesperson said.
Take a look at the controversial photo for yourself —
