Donald Trump’s health has sparked fresh concerns after a dark bruise was spotted on his right hand during a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in the Oval Office.

The visible mark led to speculation that the former president could be receiving IV treatments, fueling fears of a possible undisclosed ailment. Medical experts note that bruising is more common in older individuals and those taking blood-thinning medication, further adding to the concerns raised by eagle-eyed viewers.

The leaders came together in Washington against a backdrop of fraught relations between Europe and the US as discussions are being held to bring an end to the war in Ukraine – discussions which have included representatives from the previously ex-communicated Russia.

Before the speculation around Trump's health took off, the meeting seemed to have been a microcosm for that tense context, with the two men locked in an “unmistakable power struggle” and “vying for dominance through physical gestures,” all hand tussles and leg grabs.

Dr Gareth Nye told the Daily Star the bruising may be the result of an IV drip being inserted into the 78-year-old President's hand. He said: “Bruising is much more common as you age due to the thinning of skin and weakening of blood vessels.

“As we get older, bruising is seen even in minor bumps and there is often very little underlying to suggest a health concern.

“This is more likely to be the case if a person is on blood thinning medication or has been exposed to a lot of sunlight. It may additionally be a completely benign condition called Actinic purpura which is also caused by excessive sun exposure.

“It does look similar to bruising which is left by IV drip insertion although there is no evidence of IV usage or need.”

The meeting seemed relaxed before Macron touched Trump’s knee as part of a joke, which led Trump into a knee-grabbing frenzy that saw Macron try to force the American’s hand back towards his own space.

Speaking to the Daily Star, body language expert Adrianne Carter, of adriannecarter.com, explained how the two tussled in a bid to exert control despite the many pairs of eyes in the room.

“Macron initiates the interaction by patting Trump's knee, a gesture often associated with dominance or taking the lead,” she said. “However, Trump is highly skilled in using body language to assert control and shape the message he wants to convey.

“Rather than allowing Macron to establish dominance, Trump immediately reciprocates with his own knee pat, refusing to be outdone. In response, Macron escalates the exchange by grabbing Trump’s wrist, attempting to reclaim control.”

If their tussle is a microcosm of the wider state of relations between Europe and the US at the moment, then Adrianne noted that neither came out of the interaction looking particularly good, not dissimilarly to how commentators have warned the two parties could look if Russia comes out on top of the peace process.

“What follows is an unmistakable power struggle, with both men vying for dominance through physical gestures. The result? Neither emerges looking particularly strong, just locked in an awkward battle for control,” she revealed.