Trump, 79, Called Out for Awkward Exit on Air Force One’s Steps
Donald Trump has sparked new speculation about his health after making an awkward descent down the stairs of Air Force One.
Video by MAGA influencer Paul Villarreal of the 79-year-old president stepping off a plane at Palm Beach International Airport on Saturday morning gained attention online for Trump’s odd hand gesture and slow, careful descent.
In the video, Trump appears at the door of the plane and hits his right leg three times with his right hand before walking down the stairs. He carefully navigates the steps, holding on tightly to the railing, and it takes about 18 seconds to reach the bottom of the short staircase.
He then jumps into the heavily armored presidential car, “The Beast,” where he is seen drinking what appears to be a Diet Coke. Trump is spending Christmas at his Mar-a-Lago mansion.
Critics online were quick to note the president’s obvious weakness and awkward leg slaps.
“I tap the leg to make sure it works downwards,” user X said. commented.
another one wrote“I wish he would focus on the economy like he focused on getting down those stairs.”
President Donald Trump, 79, was caught appearing to fall asleep at four official events in six weeks. His public naps led to renewed scrutiny of his mental and physical health. /Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
one person The following assumption was made about his hand movements: “It’s not the leg he’s touching, but he’s trying to bring life back to his hand.”
But the elderly president’s supporters defended him, with many noting that Trump had just wrapped up a long day that included a rally in Rocky Mount, North Carolina.
Trump, who was seen stumbling on the stairs of Air Force One during his visit to New Jersey in June this year, has often spoken of his predecessor Joe Biden having to be “very careful” when going down the stairs to avoid dangers.
“I’m very careful. You know, when I go down – like I’m on stairs like these stairs – I walk very slowly,” Trump said in a speech to the nation’s top generals in September.
He brought up the issue again a few days later while taking shots at Biden in a speech to Navy sailors.
“We had a terrible, terrible president who had no idea what was going on. His chances of successfully coming down those stairs were not good,” he said. “And I have to be careful because one day I’ll probably fall.”
The Commander-in-Chief then explained what he said to himself as he walked down the stairs: “I always say, ‘Go down the steps slowly and nicely.’ Have you ever noticed? I don’t have to jump down the stairs. ‘Walk nice and slow.’”
Questions about Trump’s health have dogged him into his second term, especially after he let slip in October that he had undergone an MRI scan.
The White House eventually said it was a “preemptive” look at his heart and abdomen; This claim has been met with skepticism by medical experts who emphasize that there is “nothing standard” about screening.
The Daily Beast has reached out to the White House for comment.
