Former President Donald Trump, 78, is facing speculation about his health after a video showing him walking awkwardly on a golf course went viral online.
According to a report by the Daily Mail on the 4th (local time), a company known to manage Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort shared a video on social media that captured Trump getting out of a golf cart on the 2nd.
He stepped on his left leg and lifted his right leg, seeming to limp as he made contact with the ground. Following that, he appeared to be dragging his right leg. The video has garnered over 15.4 million views on X (formerly Twitter), and netizens have raised questions about whether there are health issues.
The Daily Mail quoted experts who suggested that Trump's unnatural gait could be the result of various ailments. Arun Gray, a British sports scientist and injury rehabilitation expert, told the Daily Mail that Trump shows symptoms of valgus knee. Valgus knee is a condition where, when standing straight, the area below the knee does not touch and spreads out in an X shape, with the ankles bowing outward.
Gray explained, "Valgus symptoms are relatively common in tall individuals and those with weak glutes," adding that considering Trump's lifestyle—extensive travel, long hours spent in meetings, and use of a golf cart—it is possible that muscle weakness and lack of activity have had an impact. It is known that those suffering from valgus knee can experience discomfort in the hips, increased risk of arthritis, and back issues.
Aging expert Dr. Veronica Matutite speculated that Trump is suffering from lumbar spinal stenosis, a condition common in older adults where the passageway for the nerves in the spine narrows. The nerve compression can lead to weakness in the legs and difficulty walking.
The video also rekindled memories of past instances where Trump walked awkwardly. During the first year of his presidency in 2020, a scene was captured at a facility in North Carolina where he appeared to drag his right leg. Last year, he was seen dragging his leg while stepping down from a podium during a presidential campaign rally and while delivering pizzas to firefighters.
Trump's team strongly rebuffed the health speculation. White House communications director Steven Chung stated, "The corrupt media, including deranged and morally bankrupt progressives, now have no shame and are relying on complete falsehoods and fabricated lies," and added, "Instead, they spend time in agony as their brains rot from Trump delusion."