It’s not unusual for global leaders to find themselves at the heart of wild speculation and intriguing theories, and former U.S. President Donald Trump is no stranger to such situations.
Over the years, Trump has been surrounded by a whirlwind of strange speculations. From odd bulges in his attire to the persistent rumor that his wife Melania employs a body double, these theories capture the public’s imagination.
Recently, another theory has gained traction following a viral video that shows Trump, 78, stumbling as he ascends the stairs to Air Force One on June 8.
At that time, Trump was headed to Camp David in Maryland for crucial dialogues with military leaders about possibly invoking the Insurrection Act. This was in response to reports of ICE raids in Los Angeles’s Latino communities, beginning on June 6.
Just before boarding, Trump made a brief statement to reporters addressing the pressing situation. While making his way up the staircase to the aircraft, he experienced a slip yet managed to regain his balance promptly.
His determination not to falter was evident as he continued up the stairs, seemingly unfazed by the incident.
Unsurprisingly, this incident quickly went viral on social media. People noted the irony, as Trump has been known to openly criticize former President Joe Biden for similar accidental slips during public events.
Yet, what truly captured the collective curiosity of online communities was the revival of an old, intriguing theory suggesting Trump might suffer from bathmophobia – a fear of stairs or slopes.
Exploring Bathmophobia: Clutching Hands and Avoiding Slopes
A user on social media platform X remarked, “Just look at Trump’s past. He’s frequently seen holding the hands of other leaders, even on minor slopes. This incident is possibly his dreaded fear coming to light.”
Another user humorously observed, “He looked more scared of those stairs than the man who once fired a gun at one of his rallies. That really says something.”
A third commenter jokingly added, “Honestly, his apparent terror of stairs is one of the few things I can relate to with Trump.”
Meanwhile, another poster pointed out, “His slip doesn’t mean he’s unwell—it simply confirms he’s an older gentleman who’s famously uneasy around stairs.”
As of now, neither Trump nor the White House has publicly addressed these swirling speculations. However, this isn’t the first time such thoughts have emerged among the public.
Back in 2017, during his first presidential term, Trump was noticeably holding hands with former UK Prime Minister Theresa May while they descended a ramp at the White House. This move further stimulated the theory that he harbored a deep-seated fear of inclines.
According to notable outlets like The Telegraph and Politico, insiders indicated that Trump’s hand-holding was possibly due to anxiety surrounding ramps.
May’s spokesperson later informed The Times that Trump simply offered his hand to her as they navigated an unseen ramp, and she accepted the gesture naturally.
Balancing Humor and Speculation
Despite the absence of solid evidence supporting the bathmophobia theory, it’s evident that the online world has enthusiastically embraced the narrative. Social media users continue to mix speculation and humor, creating engaging discussions as they often do.
Even though we may never truly know if Trump harbors a fear of slopes and stairs, these stories certainly add a layer of intrigue to his public persona, capturing the attention of people around the world.
The viral video and subsequent revival of this theory remind us once again of the unique ways in which public figures are perceived, analyzed, and discussed in our digital age.
