A video of President Donald Trump briefly stumbling while boarding Air Force One has gone viral, capturing audiences online after he addressed reporters in Morristown, New Jersey. The incident occurred on June 8 as Trump was boarding the plane headed to Camp David, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio was also seen tripping up the stairs. The clip has amassed millions of views on social media platforms.
This moment of stumbling raises comparisons between Trump and President Joe Biden, both of whom are the oldest individuals to assume the presidency at ages 78 and 82, respectively. Trump’s campaign had previously leveraged a video of Biden falling while ascending the steps of Air Force One in March 2021 to question Biden’s fitness for office, suggesting that the slip was indicative of a larger issue regarding age-related competence. Trump and his allies have used such instances to frame Biden’s readiness to serve another term as president, especially following Biden’s recent struggles during debates and an advanced-cancer diagnosis, which has amplified scrutiny about his mental acuity and fitness for office.
In light of these incidents, both Trump and Biden are under increased public evaluation regarding their age and ability to lead effectively. As Trump approaches his 82nd birthday by the end of his term, he may potentially match Biden for the title of the oldest president in U.S. history. Amid recent political tensions, Trump has also called for a Department of Justice investigation into Biden’s alleged cognitive decline, dismissing Biden’s rebuttal as “false” and a diversion from more pressing issues.
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