Donald Trump is once again employing his administration to erase from the internet yet another humiliating episode that could have exposed the truth before it was swept under the rug.
The 80-year-old Republican arrived in Turkey for a two-day NATO summit.
Yet the trip has been marked by disarray since the moment he stepped off the plane at Ankara’s Etimesgut Air Base on July 7.
Upon stepping off Air Force One, Trump made a careful descent down the aircraft stairs, gripping the rail with each successive step.
Waiting at the bottom were White House aides, Secret Service agents, and photographers.
Trump appeared surprised to be greeted on the tarmac by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who is 72 years old.
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He lowered himself briefly, applauded, and lifted his hands once more.
The two leaders then walked along a blue carpet as a military guard lined the route.
Viewers with sharp eyes noted that Trump had trouble maintaining a straight gait and nearly wandered off course several times.
🚨 NOW: President Trump has ARRIVED in Ankara, Turkey for the NATO Summit
And they gave him a HELL of a welcome, with President Endorgan meeting him on the tarmac 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/k7Az678BjX— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) July 7, 2026
Footage from the televised moment showed the American leader almost colliding with Erdoğan.
At one point, Trump was halted mid-stride and turned toward the honor guard who had greeted him.
Erdoğan had to grab the U.S. president by the arm and steer him in the proper direction.
🚨 JUST NOW: PRESIDENT TRUMP was greeted by a full HONOR GUARD in Turkey upon landing
Pres. Erdogan was waiting at the bottom of the stairs
Still so thankful it’s TRUMP representing us on the world stage rather than that cackling old hag
Stay safe, 47 🙏 pic.twitter.com/2U4aIa0VPZ— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) July 7, 2026
A clip of the awkward moment quickly circulated online, prompting observers to remark on Trump’s apparent decline.
“Does he know how to walk right?” one commenter wondered. Another quipped, “He walks right, then he walks left, then right again.”
Others noted how dazed and confused the former reality TV star appeared.
“Trump always looks so damn lost, largely because he is,” read one tweet. A sarcastic post added, “Turkey couldn’t spring for a wheelchair? Come on!!!”
“He is sleepwalking,” joked another user, referring to Trump often nodding off during public events like White House press briefings and the NBA Finals in New York City.
“Then he couldn’t walk straight and wandered, then he nodded off. So embarrassing,” wrote another Trump critic on Threads.
Similarly, another poster commented, “His feet wander as much as his mouth does. He clearly can’t stay focused on anything, whether walking or talking.”
Concerns about Trump’s vitality have shadowed the current administration since he returned to power in 2025.
The White House shared the same footage on its social channels. Yet the precise moment when Trump paused at the honor guard before Erdoğan had to intervene was erased.
“You missed some bits,” a social media user observed after noticing the edit. “…here lemme help you out. Dementia Donny is showing his true colors.”
Another commenter quipped, “Oh look, a turkey just landed in Turkey.”
President Donald J. Trump Arrives in Turkey and is greeted by the President, @RTErdogan, ahead of the NATO summit. 🇺🇸🇹🇷 pic.twitter.com/IQNkF0fq7n
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) July 7, 2026
In particular, Trump’s bruised hands have become a focal point in the conversations about his health status.
The White House asserted that the visible abrasions were the result of a combination of frequent handshakes, a daily aspirin routine, and minor scrapes, all of which are regularly concealed with skin-toned makeup.
Trump’s legs appear just as damaged as his hands. Memes mocking his swollen ankles have flooded social media. The condition and use of his legs have also dominated headlines in their own right.
On more than one occasion, Trump has been seen hobbling, tripping over steps, and moving in the wrong direction from where he was supposed to go.
During the G7 gathering in June, he seemed to head the incorrect way after a photo op until French President Emmanuel Macron redirected him.
Trump grabs Indian Prime Minister Modi’s wrist for support as he steps up a small stair during the G7 summit pic.twitter.com/J2S4F91BoM
— MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) June 16, 2026
Video from last month also shows another moment when Trump stumbled and missed a step on the aircraft stairs, his other leg buckling momentarily. A few seconds later, he faltered again as he crossed the tarmac.
He quickly regained his balance, steadied himself, and pressed on toward the gathered reporters without pausing to react to the stumble.
Earlier still, another clip appeared to show Trump dragging his right leg at Mar-a-Lago.
White House physician Dr. Sean Barbella has repeatedly stated that Trump is in “excellent health” and fully capable of carrying out the duties of the presidency. Nevertheless, repeated televised instances of the president limping and wandering away from events have done little to quell public concerns.
