Donald Trump wearing a ‘hidden leg brace’ to treat nerve damage? Speculation grows after US President's Air Force One stumble

Speculation over U.S. President Donald Trump’s health has intensified after he was seen stumbling while boarding Air Force One—and an unusual bulge under his pant leg has now sparked theories that he may be wearing a concealed leg brace.

A photo shared by a Twitter user shows what appears to be a strange outline beneath Trump's trousers, prompting online chatter that he could be wearing Ankle Foot Orthotics (AFOs)—devices often prescribed for individuals with foot drop, a condition caused by nerve damage, according to a report by The Daily Boulder.



These rumors come just weeks after Trump’s physician, Captain Sean Barbabella, declared him to be in “excellent cognitive and physical health.” In April, Trump underwent nearly five hours of medical evaluation at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, including blood tests, cardiac screenings, ultrasounds, and a full neurological assessment.

He also reportedly scored a perfect 30/30 on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. “I got the highest mark,” Trump said at the time. “Good heart, a good soul—very good soul.”

The most recent incident occurred Sunday in Morristown, New Jersey, as Trump boarded Air Force One en route to Washington, D.C. Video footage shows him stumbling while gripping the handrail, catching his left foot on a step before quickly regaining his balance and continuing up the stairs.

Interestingly, Secretary of State Marco Rubio also stumbled while boarding the aircraft that day. Though both recovered swiftly, Trump’s misstep went viral on social media, with many users drawing comparisons to past incidents involving President Joe Biden.

In 2023, Trump mocked Biden for falling to his knees at the Air Force graduation ceremony in Colorado. “I hope he wasn’t hurt… you don’t want that,” Trump said, while also referencing his own careful descent down a slippery ramp at West Point in 2020. “You’ve got to be careful about that—even if you have to tiptoe down a ramp.”

At the time, Trump had criticized Biden for what he called an inability to "walk up a flight of stairs on Air Force One" or "put two sentences together," describing the Biden administration as incompetent.

Now, with Trump himself under scrutiny over a potential leg brace, the political narrative around age, health, and fitness is again under the spotlight.