President Donald Trump returned to Washington on Sunday night after a weekend at Mar a Lago resort, and the internet noticed his ankles before anything else.
As he stepped off Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews, a gust of wind lifted his pant legs and revealed swelling that cameras did not miss. The moment spread fast, because nothing travels quicker than presidential awkwardness.
Trump, 79, had spent the weekend at Mar a Lago in Palm Beach. Video showed him moving slowly down the stairs, gripping the rail and stepping carefully, as if gravity had filed a formal complaint.
Several gusts of wind pushed his trouser cuffs upward, putting his lower legs on full display. His left ankle, in particular, looked noticeably swollen under the bright lights. It was not exactly the image of strength usually paired with a commander in chief arrival shot.
After that, Trump boarded Marine One for the short flight to the White House. He walked more carefully down the smaller steps, avoided reporters, and disappeared inside. The press was left with footage, screenshots, and a sudden national conversation about socks.
This was not the first time Trumpβs ankles drew attention. They were last seen at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where he met NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. Cameras also caught them during meetings with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al Sissi and Swiss President Guy Parmelin.
In July, the White House said Trump had been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency. It is a common condition in older adults where blood pools in the legs due to poor circulation. Doctors say it can cause swelling, aching, and discomfort, especially after long periods of sitting or standing.
Trump has spoken about the issue himself. In a New Yearβs Day interview with The Wall Street Journal, he said he tried compression socks but stopped because, βI didnβt like them.β The comment was classic Trump, blunt, brief, and dismissive of anything that feels even slightly medical.
He also said he was trying to get up from his desk more and walk around, which doctors recommend to reduce swelling. But he added that exercise other than golf is βboring.β That line did not calm critics, though it did confirm that golf remains the only workout Trump finds emotionally acceptable.
Trump and his aides told the Journal that the swelling in his legs had improved. Still, recent footage from Washington and Davos suggests the problem may not be fully resolved. Photos of deep bruising on both of his hands have also raised eyebrows in recent weeks.
The White House previously said the bruising came from frequent handshaking combined with aspirin use for βcardiac prevention.β Officials insisted there was no serious medical concern. Still, when a president looks like he lost a fight with a stapler and a staircase, people tend to ask questions.
Trump has faced growing speculation about his physical and cognitive health during his second term. That puts him in the same spotlight once aimed at his predecessor, Joe Biden, whose movements and speech patterns were often dissected frame by frame. Now Trump is getting the same treatment, except with more zooming in on ankles.
Supporters say the coverage is shallow and unfair. They argue that swelling legs do not affect decision making and that many older Americans deal with the same issue. Critics say transparency matters, especially when the job involves stress, travel, and late nights that could challenge anyone, let alone a septuagenarian.
For now, the White House says the president is fine and carrying out his duties as usual. Trump continues to travel, meet foreign leaders, and play golf, sometimes all in the same day. His schedule has not slowed, even if his steps occasionally do.
Featured image via X screengrab
