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Recently, the abnormal bruising on U.S. President Trump's hand attracted widespread attention on social media. Netizens compared it with photos of the hand of Queen Elizabeth II before her death. Because the distribution and shape of the bruising are extremely similar, it triggered speculation about Trump's health.
It is not the first time that Mr. Trump's health has been in the spotlight. Since he began his second term in January, Mr. Trump has been photographed repeatedly with bruises or concealer on his hands. The White House has explained that the bruises were caused by Mr. Trump shaking hands and taking drugs too often, and that Mr. Trump is still in good health.
Comparison chart of bruising
However, the skepticism on the Internet did not subside, but was exacerbated by the contrast with Queen Elizabeth II. Just as the outside world was making a lot of noise, US Vice President Vance said in an interview that Trump is in good health now, but if the worst happens, he is ready to take over the presidency.
Mr. Vance's comments were both a sign of confidence and a source of political interpretation. Mr. Trump himself was known to have suggested on August 5 that Mr. Vance, the vice-president, was "highly likely" to be his successor in the 2028 Republican race. Mr. Trump wields enormous influence in the Republican Party, and by making clear that he was preparing for the succession, Mr. Vance was demonstrating his political determination and ambition to the forces within the party and trying to build a political camp with himself at its core.
Vance's political trajectory is a model of dramatic transformation. In 2016, he publicly criticized Trump as a "moral disaster" and a "liar", and even privately called him "America's Hitler". However, as the political climate in the United States changed, Vance began to gradually move closer to Trump's camp in 2020, and ran alongside Trump as a vice presidential candidate in 2024, successfully entering the heart of the American regime.
Trump and Vance
Analysts believe that Vance's statement is not entirely an illusion. In the American political system, the role of the vice president is crucial. He is an important assistant to the president and will become the country's top leader when the president is unable to perform his duties. Of course, some analysts believe that it is not a good thing for Vance to express his political ambitions at this time.
Behind Trump's health doubts and Vance's succession statement is the complex factional game and power reorganization within the Republican Party. If Vance succeeds, it means that US politics may continue some of the policy lines of the Trump era. Trump hopes to shape his own political legacy. At the same time, Vance is also actively demonstrating his political ability and leadership charm, trying to get rid of the "Trump shadow" and embark on a unique political path.
Trump has concealer on his hands
Some analysts believe that one of the ways Trump wants to be re-elected as president is to let Vance run for president first, and then give him the president after success. After all, Trump has always wanted to be president for a third time. But judging from legislative and political realities, Trump's desire faces significant resistance.
Mr. Trump's health concerns have also sparked a full-blown public debate, with the public's excessive focus on the president's personal health illustrating an increasingly personal and dynastic trend in US politics. But whether Mr. Trump finishes his term or Mr. Vance takes over early, the fundamental direction of US politics is unlikely to change radically. In this case, understanding and adapting to the internal logic of US politics is more important than focusing on the health of individual leaders.