Fact Check: "Trump has small hands"
What We Know
The claim that Donald Trump has small hands has been a recurring theme in political discourse, particularly during the 2016 presidential campaign. This notion was notably popularized by Trump's rival, Marco Rubio, who remarked, "He's like 6'2", which is why I don't understand why his hands are the size of someone who is 5'2" (BBC News). Trump himself has publicly defended the size of his hands, questioning the audience during a debate, "Do these look like small hands?" (CNN Politics).
The origins of the "small hands" insult date back over 25 years, when the comedy magazine Spy referred to him as the "short-fingered vulgarian," a term that Trump has reportedly taken offense to (BBC News). In recent discussions, figures like Joe Rogan have stated that Trump has "regular-sized hands," suggesting that the perception of Trump's hand size may not align with reality (Newsweek).
Analysis
The claim that Trump has small hands is largely subjective and rooted in political rivalry and media sensationalism. While there is no definitive measurement available to categorize Trump's hands as "small," the claim has been perpetuated through various forms of political commentary and satire. The media's portrayal of Trump’s hands has often been exaggerated for comedic effect, as seen in the Wired incident where Trump's name was replaced with "Someone With Tiny Hands" due to a browser extension error (BBC News).
Critically assessing the sources, the BBC and CNN are reputable news organizations, providing a balanced view of Trump's responses to the claims. In contrast, the TruthOrFake blog highlights the cultural implications of the "small hands" claim but lacks the same level of journalistic rigor as mainstream outlets (TruthOrFake). Overall, while some sources assert that Trump's hands are of regular size, the persistence of the claim reflects broader societal attitudes towards masculinity and physical appearance.
Conclusion
The claim that "Trump has small hands" is Partially True. While there is no conclusive evidence to definitively categorize Trump's hands as small, the claim is rooted in a mix of political rivalry and cultural perceptions. Trump's own defenses against the claim suggest that he does not perceive his hands to be small, yet the ongoing discourse around this topic indicates that it remains a point of contention in public perception.
Sources
- A history of Donald Trump, his 'tiny' fingers - and gold ...
- Wired explains Trump 'Tiny Hands' misprint - BBC News
- Donald Trump Myth Dispelled: 'He's Got Regular Sized Hands ... - Newsweek
- Fact Check: Trump has small hands | TruthOrFake Blog
- Donald Trump defends size of his penis | CNN Politics
- The History Behind the Donald Trump 'Small Hands' Insult
