Donald Trump’s health sparks debate after unsteady walk at NATO summit in Turkey

Footage from the 2026 NATO summit in Ankara showed 80‑year‑old President Donald Trump climbing the stairs of Air Force One slowly, gripping the handrails and briefly jerking his left hand. At the summit he was also seen leaning on Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for support while walking, prompting speculation about his physical and cognitive stamina.

Social‑media users and commentators questioned whether the president can cope with the demands of office, citing prior incidents such as a stumble during a 2025 boarding of Air Force One and a brief pause at a July 4 celebration. The White House has reiterated that Trump remains in "excellent health" despite a prior diagnosis of chronic venous insufficiency and multiple specialist evaluations. No new medical diagnosis has been announced.

The renewed scrutiny comes amid Trump’s 2024 re‑election campaign and ongoing foreign‑policy challenges, adding pressure on his administration as foreign leaders and the public assess his fitness to lead.