Trump’s laboured descent down the steps of Air Force One has brought back comments on his health, with social media users drawn to his ‘cankles’ during his latest appearance
Onlookers have started commenting on Trump’s health after he was seen exiting Air Force One(Image: Getty Images)
Donald Trump has resurrected long-running fears about his health after he was spotted seemingly limping down the steps of Air Force One.
The President, 79, appeared to struggle as he dismounted the presidential plane on Saturday ahead of UFC 327 in Miami, Florida, where he made his first sporting appearance following the Iran war. Rather than participate in crunch talks meant to find a permanent end to the conflict – which were instead undertaken by his vice president JD Vance – he was seen rubbing shoulders with celebrities on the sidelines of the Paulo Costa vs Azamat Murzakanov bout.
People keeping a keen eye on the run-up to the event, however, had their eyes drawn to the president’s ankles during his ambling approach to ground-level.
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Some onlookers claimed the president had “swollen ankles”, with journalist Aaron Rupar saying: “Check out how swollen Trump’s ankles are.” Another commenter suggested that the cankles suggested the president was “not well”, adding: “Holy s***. Trump’s cankles are enormous. A clear sign he is not well.”
The comments came as the president prepared to up the ante in Iran by deploying ships to the Middle East to form a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz.
In an announcement this afternoon after posting the reccomendation to form a blockade on his Truth Social account, the president said on the same platform: “Effective immediately, the United States Navy, the Finest in the World, will begin the process of BLOCKADING any and all Ships trying to enter, or leave, the Strait of Hormuz.
“The Blockade will begin shortly. Other Countries will be involved with this Blockade. Iran will not be allowed to profit off this Illegal Act of EXTORTION.”
Trump has long denied he is unwell, although the White House confirmed last year that he suffers from a medical condition in his veins called chronic venous insufficiency. Last summer, during a daily news briefing, Trump health secretary Karoline Leavitt said the president had been diagnosed after noticing swelling in his legs.
He had been pictured before the briefing with swelling in his ankles and bruising to his hands – which the White House said resulted from frequent handshaking.
Chronic venous insufficiency is described as “benign” and is especially common in individuals as they approach 70. Fluid collection caused by the condition can become more severe over time if not treated, but Trump’s doctor, Sean Barbarella, confirmed he is in good health.
In a written statement, he said the president was seen by the White House Medical Unit “out of an abundance of caution”, stating Trump underwent a “comprehensive examination” that discovered his condition.
He said in the note: “Importantly, there was no evidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or arterial disease.” The testing showed that Trump also had “normal cardiac structure and function”, and “no signs of heart failure, renal impairment, or systemic illness were identified.”
Dr Barbarella added that Trump “remains in excellent health”. The statement also explained away the cause of the president’s mystery bruising, putting it down to handshakes combined with taking aspirin.
He said: “This is consistent with minor soft tissue irritation from frequent handshaking and the use of aspirin, which is taken as part of a standard cardiovascular prevention regimen.”
