Fox News drew attention over the weekend with a report discussing the visible bruising on former President Donald Trump‘s hand, referring to him as “elderly.” Conservative commentator Elisha Krauss defended the bruising, suggesting it is a common issue for older adults. Krauss stated on the network, “That doesn’t look suspicious to me at all… I mean, the guy is an elderly man. Your skin gets thinner as you get older.”
The commentary sparked immediate backlash from political analysts and commentators. Democratic strategist Adam Parkhomenko remarked on social media, “I’m sure Donald Trump is thrilled that they are talking about the bruising on his hand on Fox News.” Another commentator, April Perry, questioned the narrative, suggesting viewers look up “Kinsula,” which is likely a misspelling of a recently FDA-approved drug for early symptomatic Alzheimer’s disease.
Criticism continued as former federal prosecutor Ron Filipkowski expressed disbelief at the network’s framing. He tweeted, “Wait, wait, wait. Fox is SERIOUSLY, ACTUALLY trying to get their audience of lemmings to believe that the heavy makeup and band-aids on Trump’s hand for months is from shaking hands?!?” Filipkowski accused the network of showing “nothing but contempt for their viewers.”
Political analyst Tara O’Connor added to the conversation with a simple eye-roll emoji, while ex-Republican Ashley C. Dinney remarked, “Trump looks like s— and everyone knows it. He looks worse by the day.” Host Radio Justice reminded viewers that Trump has previously described himself as a germaphobe, noting that he rarely shakes hands.
The report gained additional scrutiny from PatriotTakes, an organization that tracks right-wing extremism, which commented on Fox News’ reluctance to allow any questioning of the White House narrative regarding Trump’s hand bandages.
In an era where media narratives shape public perception, the attention on Trump’s health and appearance highlights ongoing concerns about transparency and the portrayal of political figures. The discourse surrounding these comments illustrates the complexities of political commentary and the varied reactions from different factions of the political landscape.