**Donald Trump’s Swollen ‘Cankles’ Raise Health Concerns During Meeting with Canada’s Prime Minister**
*Published Oct. 8, 2025, 4:46 p.m. ET*
Donald Trump has sparked renewed health concerns due to his visibly swollen ankles—commonly referred to as “cankles”—during his meeting with Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney at the White House on Tuesday, October 7.
The 79-year-old president made efforts to keep his lower legs out of view behind a table during a lively session with reporters. However, a video shared by one of his own staff members revealed his noticeably enlarged ankles.
### Attempts to Hide Swollen Ankles
While Prime Minister Carney’s legs were fully visible to photographers as he sat beside Trump, most of the press present were positioned at an angle where a wooden coffee table obscured the president’s ankles.
Interestingly, Trump’s special assistant and communications advisor, Margo Martin, offered a behind-the-scenes glimpse via an Instagram Story, showing his swollen ankles beneath a pair of black socks and atop his black dress shoes.
### The Cause Behind Trump’s Cankles
Trump’s swollen ankles have been a persistent issue for the Commander-in-Chief. During an August 25 White House meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, his left ankle appeared significantly swollen and was impossible to hide.
This swelling is the result of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), a condition disclosed in a July White House memo from Dr. Sean P. Barbarella detailing the president’s health.
CVI occurs when the veins in the legs do not function efficiently, leading to decreased blood flow from the legs back to the heart. Common symptoms include swelling and heaviness in the legs, especially after extended periods of sitting or standing.
Dr. Barbarella described CVI as a “benign and common condition, particularly in individuals over the age of 70,” emphasizing that there is no indication of more serious problems such as arterial disease or deep vein thrombosis.
### How Trump Attempts to Conceal His Swollen Ankles
Another method Trump uses to hide his swollen ankles is wearing pants with a looser fit at the bottom. This was visible when he greeted Carney upon his arrival at the White House.
An event planning insider familiar with the White House revealed that Trump prefers intimate settings like the Oval Office for events, where he can remain seated rather than standing for lengthy periods. The iconic Resolute Desk also helps conceal his lower body completely, preventing any photographs of his ankle swelling from circulating.
### Makeup Mishaps Highlight Additional Effects of CVI
In addition to swelling, CVI can cause bruising and skin discoloration. Trump has faced criticism for his attempts to cover black and blue marks on his hands with poorly matched foundation.
During his recent meeting with Carney, the president’s right hand displayed a yellowish hue of concealer that starkly contrasted with the more natural pink tone of his left hand.
Renowned makeup artist Brandi Boulet called out this apparent makeup fail in September, questioning, “How can you be in that position and not have somebody be able to cover a bruise?”
Boulet remarked that Trump’s foundation application looked like “somebody just mashed on some foundation.” She explained her makeup technique, saying, “Skin is not just one color. There are undertones. You can see blues from veins, reds from capillaries, and even beauty marks. It’s a matter of layering in a way that matches what you’ve just covered to what the rest of your skin looks like, instead of just doing a circle of one color.”
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Donald Trump’s ongoing struggle with chronic venous insufficiency continues to be a visible health concern, with his swollen ankles and skin discoloration drawing public and media attention despite efforts to conceal these symptoms.
https://radaronline.com/p/donald-trump-cankles-meeting-canada-prime-minister-health-dementia-concerns/