What’s going on with President Donald Trump?
Social media lit up after users noticed step-by-step instructions seemingly added to Air Force One’s stairs to help the 79-year-old politician board safely.
Video on social media showed the president carefully climbing the steps after meeting in Anchorage, Alaska, on Aug. 15. But it wasn’t just his cautious pace — it was the bold “Watch Your Step” messaging on the stairs that had folks asking if the aircraft had gotten a quiet upgrade.
When the footage was posted to One America News’ Instagram page, it showed a split-screen comparison between Trump’s measured climb and Vladimir Putin’s swift, rail-free ascent up his own aircraft’s stairs. Many were quick to weigh in on the apparent safety modifications.
“Trump needs instructions on the stairs,” one observer noted, while another pointed out the disparity: “See how they put ‘watch your steps’ on our president’s plane.”
Another observer noticed, “President … could barely make it up. He was holding that rail tight to make sure he didn’t fall again.”
Trump is careful not to fall down the stairs pic.twitter.com/TrS9metkbr
— Niv Calderon (@nivcalderon) August 15, 2025
The safety measures came months after Trump appeared to stumble while climbing Air Force One’s stairs in June, an incident that quickly went viral and drew millions of views across social platforms.
The responsibility for Air Force One’s operations, including its integrated stairway systems, falls under the U.S. Air Force’s 89th Airlift Wing, operating from Joint Base Andrews in Maryland as part of Air Mobility Command.
According to the official Air Force website, the VC-25A aircraft features front and rear built-in air-stairs that are maintained and operated by the Presidential Airlift Group, a component of the White House Military Office. The Air Force ensures stair deployment, safety protocols, and maintenance in coordination with the Secret Service and other security authorities, meaning any modifications to the aircraft would require military approval and oversight.
The stair situation has taken on particular irony, given Trump’s previous criticism of his predecessor’s mobility challenges.
“What world leaders look like after 4 years of stumbling bumbling Biden,” added one critic.
Another said, “The better he holds himself or he’d do a Biden, he’s looking sooooo old and tired.”
When Joe Biden, now 82, fell while climbing Air Force One’s steps on March 19, 2021, Trump and his campaign allies repeatedly used that footage in political advertisements with titles like “Jugular” and “Not A Young Guy,” questioning Biden’s fitness for office.
According to The Independent, Trump criticized media coverage of Biden’s tumble, calling it “terrible” and claiming it “wasn’t really one, it was three” falls that went largely unreported by mainstream outlets.
“That tumble was terrible. It wasn’t really one, it was three, and it wasn’t mentioned for the most part in the lamestream,” Trump previously stated, linking Biden’s stumble to broader claims about media bias and his inability to govern the nation.
The irony wasn’t lost on the president’s critics, with one user writing: “If it was Biden walking up the steps you republicans would’ve gone crazy. Oh my god… Putin doesn’t hold onto the railing but infirm Biden does. Well Old man Trump can’t climb stairs without a railing but Putin doesn’t need to. Double standard.”
Beyond stair navigation, Trump has faced growing scrutiny about his energy levels and alertness during public appearances.
Trump’s eyes are getting heavy and is falling asleep during this farce of a press conference. pic.twitter.com/MSVZlivczm
— Kathy Groob (@kathygroob) August 15, 2025
Trump walking up the stairs has prompted online discussions about the physical demands of the presidency and whether age-related fatigue factors into Trump’s public schedule.
One social media user offered a practical solution: “Why don’t they make an escalator for presidents? A very slow one where only you have climb one step at the top.”
Another took a more direct approach: “Trump is tired and is not in shape then needs to show signs for a long time so he feels powerful and lastly needs a grip on the wall to not trip!”
The Air Force One stair modifications, whether permanent or temporary, represent a pragmatic approach to presidential safety that transcends political considerations.
As the oldest person to ever take the presidential oath, he’s juggling a demanding schedule where he has to travel, and people are always watching. With this in mind, the White House is paying closer attention to one detail that matters for both optics and safety: preventing falls and not looking week.
The concern underscores not just the physical realities of Trump’s aging, but also the high stakes of preserving face on the world stage.
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