Donald Trump has ignited fresh health speculation after being caught on camera awkwardly boarding Marine One. The US President, who turned 80 last month, has come under growing scrutiny over his physical and cognitive abilities recently. Commentators have spotted bruising on his hands and leg swelling, alongside instances of apparent memory loss and public tiredness.
Video of Trump's Gait Sparks Online Reactions
In one of his latest excursions, Mr Trump visited the new Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in North Dakota on Wednesday, flying into the state on his £300million Air Force One jet, gifted by the Qatari government. He was then pictured boarding the Marine One helicopter, with footage capturing his awkward gait as he appeared to lean heavily on one foot as he walked between the aircraft.
Social media users zeroed in on the "wonky walk", with journalist Aaron Ruper sharing the clip alongside the caption: "Trump walks like a guy failing a sobriety test, then labours to get into a helicopter." Another added: "Trump couldn't walk in a straight line if his life depended on it... dude is in massive decline."
White House Responds to Criticism
A White House spokesperson told the Daily Beast in response to the comments: "You must be f****ng blind or stupid, because that was a perfect walk." It wasn't the first time Mr Trump's gait has sparked conversation, with the US leader seen veering from left to right while disembarking Air Force One to watch the Knicks play at Madison Square Garden last month.
Book Allegations Add to Concerns
It comes after a bombshell book published by former White House correspondents Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan shone fresh light on the American leader's administration last month. The allegations in Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump included that Mr Trump has difficulty hearing and that "whatever thin verbal filter he had in the past was gone".
The White House roundly rejected the claims, with spokesperson Davis Ingle responding: "President Trump's sharpness, unmatched energy and historic accessibility stand in stark contrast to what we saw during the last administration when Democrats and the legacy media intentionally covered up Joe Biden's serious mental and physical decline from the American people. President Trump is the sharpest and most accessible president in American history who is working nonstop to solve problems and deliver on his promises."
