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Expert Weighs In as Video of Trump’s Air Force One Stair Descent Fuels Partisan Dispute

A body language analyst called the visible leg taps a self-motivational ritual, with no medical or White House assessment to substantiate broader claims about his health.

Overview

  • A short clip posted by conservative influencer Paul Villarreal shows President Trump arriving in West Palm Beach and patting his right leg before descending the Air Force One stairs en route to Mar-a-Lago.
  • Critics claimed the video shows him struggling and urged media scrutiny, while supporters argued his careful movements reflect reasonable caution for a 79-year-old.
  • Body language expert Judi James told The Mirror the leg slaps could be a preparatory or celebratory ritual and suggested the president may be less nimble with age, framing the behavior as interpretive rather than diagnostic.
  • There is no independent medical verification of any mobility issue, and the coverage cited no official response from the White House.
  • Trump is expected to spend more than two weeks at Mar-a-Lago, with an FAA notice indicating presidential flight restrictions in the area from December 19 to January 4.