President Donald Trump Sparks Concern Over His Walk on the Red Carpet Ahead of Recent Summit

Donald Trump is no stranger to scrutiny over his movements, having faced questions about his walking style and a past trip.

On August 15, 2015, President Donald Trump met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, Alaska. As he walked down the red carpet to greet Putin, observers zoomed in on his gait, sparking a wave of opinions about his walking style.

A side-by-side video shows Trump and Putin descending the stairs from their respective planes, with Trump reaching the ground first, with Putin still on the steps. Once on the red carpet, Trump appears to shift from walking in a straight line to moving in a zigzag pattern.

This change raised concerns among online users who quickly shared their perspectives. One viewer couldn't get past his stride, exclaiming, "Oh man - that walk!" Another person questioned it outright, "Why can’t he walk straight?!"

Someone else shared a more detailed observation, "Very strange that donald trump cannot walk in a straight line. he was clearly struggling to walk, teetering back and forth as if his equilibrium is off [sic]."

Curiosity turned into a plea for answers, "Can any doctors tell me. Why is Trump struggling to walk in a straight line?" Others took a closer look, with one netizen insisting, "Slow the video down to .25x. You can see his gait swerves. Plus, when he looks down at the carpet, he loses his balance a lot more. Trump is not well."

Not everyone saw it as a health issue, though. One theory suggested, "President Trump is walking like that to throw off potential snipers."

Another person expanded on that idea dramatically, "SURVIVAL: Just last year Trump was shot by an assassin and narrowly escaped a second attempt on his life two months later. The zigzag pattern is the very best way to frustrate an assassin's bullet."

And finally, a more strategic explanation came in, "Likely targets of long range snipers are often directed to walk in a zigzag pattern to decrease the effectiveness of future attacks."

While many speculated about Trump's gait, the White House said in July that he had recently been evaluated for swelling in his legs and was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency.

According to press secretary Karoline Leavitt, the 79-year-old underwent a "comprehensive examination, including diagnostic vascular studies" conducted by the White House Medical Unit. She read from a note prepared by the president's physician, Dr. Sean Barbabella.

The letter, later released publicly, explained that "bilateral lower extremity venous Doppler ultrasounds were performed and revealed chronic venous insufficiency, a benign and common condition, particularly in individuals over the age of 70." The evaluation was prompted after Trump reported mild swelling in his lower legs in recent weeks.

The physician's report emphasized there was no evidence of deep vein thrombosis, arterial disease, or any abnormalities in lab results. An echocardiogram was also performed, which showed no signs of heart failure, kidney issues, or other systemic illness.

Chronic venous insufficiency occurs when valves in the veins no longer function properly, allowing blood to pool. Around 150,000 people are diagnosed with the condition each year, with the risk increasing with age.

The condition can lead to swelling in the legs or ankles, varicose veins, cramping, skin changes, or discomfort. Treatment ranges from medication to, in more advanced cases, medical procedures.

Dr. Jeremy Faust, an assistant professor of emergency medicine at Harvard Medical School, said the diagnosis is "basically not alarming information, and it's not surprising."

Faust added that it is a normal part of aging, especially in individuals who fall within the overweight to obese range. However, he noted that such symptoms should always be evaluated to rule out more serious conditions, which in Donald Trump's case was done.

Furthermore, Cardiologist Dr. Bernard Ashby noted that chronic venous insufficiency can sometimes be connected to underlying issues, such as elevated heart pressure or sleep apnea. He emphasized that while the condition itself is often considered benign, determining its cause, which is potentially related to heart or lung pressure, is what really matters.

Trump's medical team, he added, was "covering all their bases" by checking for heart failure and other related problems. Experts note that age, weight, and lifestyle factors also contribute to the condition.

Dr. Chris Pernell explained that chronic venous insufficiency is more likely in older adults, those who are overweight, or people who do not exercise regularly. Prolonged periods of sitting or standing can also contribute to the condition.

Pernell also pointed out that as much as the condition is not life-threatening, it can be debilitating. Despite the diagnosis, press secretary Leavitt emphasized that the president was experiencing "no discomfort."

The recent sighting wasn't the first time Trump's walking drew attention. On Sunday, June 8, 2025, while boarding Air Force One for a trip to Camp David, he faltered on the steps of the aircraft — a moment captured on video and later shared by TMZ on Instagram.

The footage opened with Trump ascending the stairs to the aircraft in a dark suit, his right hand gripping the railing for support. As he made his way upward, his foot caught on one of the steps, causing him to stumble forward.

He instinctively reached out with his other hand to steady himself, braced against a higher step before regaining his balance. Without pausing for long, he straightened up and continued his climb toward the aircraft cabin.

The video replayed the moment in slow motion, highlighting the suddenness of the trip and Trump's quick effort to recover.

His brief stumble sparked immediate buzz online, with viewers flooding social media comment sections to share their takes — some with humor, others with sharp irony. The parallel between Trump's misstep and former US President Joe Biden's past slip didn't go unnoticed, fueling jokes about poetic justice.

One person remarked, "Biden has a last laugh." Another observed, "That's his Joe Biden moment." Some reactions leaned into the idea of fate.

"That's called Karma Baby.." declared one netizen, while another chimed in with a dose of schadenfreude, saying, "How the tables have turned 😂😂." In a similar spirit, someone wrote, "That's what happens when you laugh at others." Yet, not all viewers were amused.

A more forgiving voice pointed out, "Apparently everyone making comments have never trip walking up stairs. Dont worry if you haven't you will some day i promise you that [sic]." A fellow spectator questioned, "Oh please [sic] are you serious? Have you never had a missed step?????"

Others downplayed the incident altogether, suggesting that tripping is a common and harmless mishap, with one individual simply noting that they, too, are "kinda clumsy" and trip often.

Trump's misstep inevitably reignited memories of a similar moment involving his predecessor, Biden, whose own ascent to Air Force One drew widespread attention in February 2024.

In the video, shared on YouTube by the New York Post, Joe Biden was seen approaching the aircraft with his signature aviator sunglasses and a cheerful expression, smiling widely at the people gathered by the plane.

After saluting military personnel stationed at the foot of the staircase, he began his climb, holding onto one of the railings for support.

Despite the apparent ease of the shorter staircase, the former commander-in-chief faltered not once but twice. After he made his way up the first few steps without trouble, one of his feet briefly caught on a step, though he quickly recovered and continued forward.

Moments later, his other foot caught on another step in a similar fashion to the first. Fortunately, he maintained his balance each time and managed to make it to the top of the staircase without a full fall. He then boarded the plane en route to Los Angeles from Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland.

While both Biden's and Trump's stumbles were physically minor, their symbolic weight continued to ripple across the political landscape. In the digital age, where moments are captured, replayed, and dissected in seconds, the smallest misstep can fuel debates, draw comparisons, or even invite ridicule.

Whether viewed as human moments or fodder for partisan commentary, these incidents remind us that public figures — even those in the highest office — are not immune to gravity, both literal and political.