Biden Fell. Trump Laughed. Now It's Trump's Turn.
President Donald J. Trump talks to members of the press on the South Lawn of the White House, July 2019. Photo courtesy of The White House. Public domain.
On June 8, President Donald Trump took a wrong step — and the internet hasn't let it go.
As cameras rolled, the 78-year-old commander in chief stumbled while climbing the stairs to Air Force One, triggering a fresh wave of speculation about his health and sparking a digital firestorm that shows no sign of slowing down.
But it wasn't just a simple misstep. For many, it was confirmation of something bigger — something they've been whispering about for months.
The Stumble That Launched a Thousand Memes
Video of Trump catching his foot and briefly faltering on the stairway in Morristown, New Jersey, went viral almost instantly. Despite recovering quickly and continuing up the stairs, the incident was instantly memed, mocked, and magnified on social media. X users threw around hashtags like #TrumpFall and #WheelchairWatch, and comparisons to past presidential stumbles surfaced quickly. The irony wasn't lost on critics who remembered Trump mocking Joe Biden for similar missteps during his presidency.
The White House did not issue a formal statement about the stumble. But for critics — and even some former allies — the incident is part of a troubling pattern.
Limping, Bruises, and Bulges: The Health Watch Intensifies
The Air Force One slip follows a series of public appearances in which Trump appeared to drag his right leg, move with a noticeable limp, and exhibit signs of unsteadiness. At a Mar-a-Lago golf outing and a recent Iowa campaign event, footage showed him walking with a stiffer gait than usual.
Then came the images from the Rose Garden on June 9. In photos, sharp-eyed viewers spotted unusual bulges under Trump's trousers — particularly around his knees — and speculated that the President may be wearing a leg brace or ankle-foot orthotics (AFOs), typically used to treat conditions like foot drop, according to the Independent.
Some even floated more alarming theories, like the possibility of a Foley catheter or mobility aids typically associated with severe neurological disorders.
The White House dismissed these claims outright. According to the Independent, communications director Steven Cheung called the rumors "conspiracy theories peddled by demented individuals hiding behind social media," emphasizing that Trump had recently been declared in "peak condition" by White House physician Captain Sean Barbabella after a nearly five-hour medical evaluation.
That exam, conducted in April at Walter Reed Medical Center, included bloodwork, cardiac exams, neurological testing, and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, in which Trump reportedly scored a perfect 30 out of 30.
A Tale of Two Narratives
Despite the clean bill of health, skepticism persists. Critics point out that age-related decline can be subtle and hard to measure on paper. Republican strategist Rick Wilson, no stranger to Trump's orbit, warned in a Times Radio interview reported by the Irish Star that "I can tell you the man you're watching today is not the Trump of 2015, nor is he the Trump of 2020, he's not even the Trump of 2024."
He cited changes in Trump's verbal fluency, focus, and communication style as signs of possible cognitive decline.
Meanwhile, Trump supporters and staff remain adamant that the president is being targeted with bad-faith speculation. "These are the same people who have been caught trying to gaslight the American people for years by saying Joe Biden was cognitively fine," Cheung said to the Independent. He continued, "When in fact, he was in much worse condition than thought."
Still, comparisons to Biden are inevitable. Trump made Biden's falls a campaign talking point in 2023, calling them "not inspiring" and claiming Biden "can't even walk up a flight of stairs," according to the Economic Times.
Now, with the tables turned, some wonder if the GOP will apply the same scrutiny to their own leader.
Why It Matters Now
President Trump's recent stumble and the ensuing speculation underscore the intense scrutiny that accompanies the highest office. While the White House maintains that he is in excellent health, public interest in the President's physical condition remains high. In an era where every misstep is magnified, such incidents inevitably fuel discussions about transparency and the physical demands of leadership.
References: Fresh health fears sparked as Donald Trump's 'hidden leg brace' spotted | Donald Trump stumbles on Air Force One steps, internet says 'time for a wheelchair'. Watch video | Trump, 78, Stumbles Climbing Stairs to Air Force One | Speculation mounts that Trump is using a 'hidden leg brace' in the wake of his Air Force One fall
