Donald Trump’s ‘Swollen Ankles’ Spark More Concern as Critics Claim He ‘Can Barely Walk’

Share
LinkedInPin
Kent Nishimura/AFP via Getty Images

What to Know

01 Donald Trump was seen cautiously walking down steps after exiting Air Force One.
02 He was in Las Vegas for a UFC fight.
03 People quickly noticed his swollen ankles.

If Donald Trump has a physical, or even cognitive, ailment, those who cannot stand him will be the first to make sure everyone knows it. At this point, it’s the American way. So when he was seen leaving Air Force One in Las Vegas in a video on X (formerly Twitter) and his ankles appeared to be incredibly swollen once again, he was called out. People even referred to his ankles as cankles, just for good measure.

This isn’t the first time Trump’s swollen ankles were spotted. It’s also not the first time people have speculated about his health. A guy pushing 80 is in the Oval Office. Clearly, there are going to be some health issues along the way. And the more the White House denies them, the harder people look to scrutinize Trump. Again, it’s the American way.

Trump clearly has a hard time walking down stairs.

Are people actually worried about Trump? That’s debatable. But there is definitely a discussion now about his swollen ankles and how it looks like it’s painful to walk down those steps. Again, he’s elderly, geriatric, and it shows. So stairs might just be an issue for him. But that doesn’t mean people aren’t going to talk about it. Come on, now.

“Why can’t he walk down the stairs without holding the rails?” Someone commented on the X post. “Is there something they are not telling us?”

Someone else commented that “Trump looks old and tired.”

Others pointed out that he always seems to be jetting off on Air Force one for something. That could be the cause for swollen ankles and even legs, since that can happen with circulation. But instead of figuring out the ‘why’ of it all, people are just concerned with poking fun at his swollen ankles. And rightfully so.

“You can smell his colostomy bag for miles,” an X user added in response to the video. “He’s smelling like death.”

Someone called his ankles “enormous.”

While some of the comments were vague call-outs to Trump’s appearance and what they see as his declining health, others pointed out his ankles specifically. It looks painful to walk down those stairs. Even though Trump takes his time in the video on X, it seems like his ankles are so swollen that it’s hard to manage the steps, even for as often as Trump finds himself boarding and disembarking a plane.

“Holy s–t,” another wrote on X. “Trump’s cankles are enormous. A clear sign he is not well.”

Someone also clocked his ankles: “His ankles are muffin-topping his shoes. Also, he’s having trouble walking. Notice how his right foot turns out as he lands and his left does not. His gait is off which can be a residual effect from a stroke. It’s caused by disrupted communication between the brain and the body.”

The cankles are no joke, either. Well, they kind of are, since people are actively making fun of them, but people aren’t exaggerating when they point out Trump’s swollen ankles from videos and photos. Elsewhere on X, another user wrote, “My God Trump is rotting before our eyes with those ankles swollen up.”

The White House did address those swollen ankles before.

Trump haters might be having fun making fun of Trump and pointing out his physical faults, but the White House did admit to some minor health issues that result in his swollen ankles. Of course, the White House also claimed that supreme leader, er, I mean, the president, is in top shape regardless.

The July 2025 White House statement about Trump’s health noted that Trump has chronic venous insufficiency, which is, per the Trump Administration, “a benign and common condition.” PBS reported that Navy Capt. Sean Barbabella said Trump’s “blood flow to his extremities” is a serious issue. The professional medical term might not be cankles, but it’s what some people are running with.

READ NEXT: Ivanka Trump Knows Everyone Wants Her To Throw Her Dad Under the Bus

chrissy bobic
Chrissy Bobic