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A photo of Donald Trump's red-spotted right hand is raising questions online.
The picture was taken as Trump departed from Trump Tower to attend the second defamation trial in Manhattan brought on by E. Jean Carroll. The civil trial began on Tuesday with jury selection, and proceedings occurred simultaneously as Trump used his social media presence to attack the former Elle columnist in a series of posts, videos and screenshots.
This new trial, aimed to conclude by week's end, follows a civil trial that concluded last May in which a jury found the former president liable for sexually abusing and defaming Carroll. Trump, the former president and current Republican Party hopeful to once again claim his party's nomination, has denied sexually assaulting Carroll at a Bergdorf Goodman department store in the 1990s in New York City.
Red marks on Trump's thumb, palm, and index finger were visible in the moments leading to Trump and Carroll meeting face-to-face again inside a courtroom. She is seeking $10 million in damages for this trial after being awarded $5 million last spring.
Newsweek reached out to the Trump campaign via email for comment.
"Does Donald Trump have early-stage leprosy?" The Bulwark's Tim Miller wrote on X, formerly Twitter, alongside a photograph of Trump's hand.
"What happened to Trump's hand?" questioned the left-wing X account Patriot Takes. "It wasn't like this in New Hampshire."
Another post by the account said: "No bandages, just open wounds. How is Trump going to 'make America great again' when he can't even take care of his own hand?"
Doctor Jonathan Reiner wrote on X: "The former president appears to have several wounds on his right hand. Wondering if he fell."
Wednesday's proceedings included tense exchanges between both Trump and Judge Lewis Kaplan, and Kaplan and Trump's attorney Alina Habba.
One back-and-forth involved Kaplan threatening to throw Trump out of the courtroom due to his reported boisterous commentary that was in earshot of the jury.
An exchange between Kaplan and Habba occurred after Habba, on behalf of the former president, requested an adjournment of the trial on Thursday so that Trump could attend the funeral for his mother-in-law, Amalija Knavs. A similar request was made last Friday and was subsequently denied.
"VERY testy exchange between Habba and Judge Kaplan after Habba again asked for adjournment so Trump can attend funeral. Kaplan: 'The application is denied. I will hear no further argument on it.' Habba attempted to speak.Kaplan: 'None. Do you understand that word? Sit down.'," Erica Orden, legal reporter at Politico, wrote on X.
Update 01/17/24, 2:43 p.m. ET: This story was updated with more information.
About the writer
Nick Mordowanec is a Newsweek investigative reporter based in Michigan. His focus includes U.S. and international politics and policies, immigration, ... Read more