Donald Trump pictured with bruise-like mark on his hand as questions raised over his health

The US president was previously pictured with thick makeup covering his hand after the mark was first noticed.

Donald Trump has been spotted today with a dark mark similar to a bruise on his hand, as questions are raised over the US president's health.

It comes after the 79-year-old was pictured with a large smear of makeup over his right hand on Friday, August 22, which was very visible against his natural skin tone.

On August 25, during discussions with members of the press as he signed an executive order at the Oval Office, a blue-black coloured mark could clearly be seen on the back of his hand, which stood out in photographs, reports the Mirror.

Earlier statements from White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt claimed the apparent bruising was "consistent" with irritation from his "frequent handshaking and the use of aspirin". However, recent images showed more makeup on the affected hand, and more noticeable bruising.

Since returning to power in January, Trump has had a busy schedule, most recently meeting European leaders last week. He has only been pictured in a single photograph since, and gave interviews only via radio until Thursday, when he addressed law enforcement officers in Washington DC, before travelling across the city to the Kennedy Centre.

Ms Leavitt was asked at a press briefing earlier in August about how Trump was being treated for the chronic venous insufficiency he was diagnosed with a month earlier.

She also fielded questions on whether his doctor would be made available to answer further questions. She responded: "I don't want to make that commitment on behalf of the physician, but it's certainly something we can look into and explore out of the effort of transparency, because unlike the previous White House, there is nothing to hide."

She added that Trump was "literally 24/7 all of the time", and said she would get an answer. When asked about further details of his treatment, she did not answer directly. She added: "Look, you see the President every day. He's moving, he's working. There have been no adjustments made to his lifestyle."

Earlier in the briefing, questions were asked about the president's apparent confusion over the location of his upcoming summit with Vladimir Putin. He had said twice a day earlier that it would take place in Russia, when it is actually taking place in Alaska.

Ms Leavitt dismissed the question, instead suggesting he may have been referring to a future visit to Russia - although it was clear from footage that he was discussing this week's meeting. Last Monday, during his meeting with European leaders, he referred to the "Republic of the Condo", and could not recognise Alexander Stubb, the president of Finland, who was seated in front of him.