Following a stay exceeding two weeks at Mar-a-Lago, Palm Beach County, President Donald Trump, aged 79, cautiously descended the steps of Air Force One on January 5, 2026. His arrival at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on Monday evening marked the start of his journey back to Washington, D.C.
This slow and careful descent followed a press conference on Venezuela on the same day, during which Trump seemed to struggle with his speech and closed his eyes while General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, was speaking.
In September 2025, Trump openly shared his apprehension about stairs at Quantico Marine Corps Base. “I walk very slowly,” he admitted to military generals. “Nobody has to set a record. Just try not to fall because it doesn’t work out well… Just walk nice and easy. You don’t have to set any record.”
Trump’s meticulous approach to stairs has become a recurring observation, especially when compared to his predecessor, Joe Biden, who was 82 when he left the White House. Numerous instances of Trump’s careful navigation of stairs have been caught on camera in recent months.
Prior to Christmas, Trump was noticed tapping his right leg thrice before going down the stairs. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also visited the President at Mar-a-Lago before the New Year to discuss a peace plan for Gaza.
Increased attention has been drawn to Trump’s physical movements, like his dragging right leg and the wide arc he took toward Marine One after descending from Air Force One. The President’s trip also included visits to Malaysia and Japan.
Trump’s health has been a subject of public interest following revelations about his medical visits and procedures. In mid-July 2025, Trump visited Walter Reed Military Medical Center due to mild swelling in his lower legs. An ultrasound from that visit revealed that he was suffering from chronic venous insufficiency.
In October 2025, an MRI was performed on Trump during a visit to Walter Reed Military Medical Center. Although Trump declared the scan to be “perfect,” medical professionals like Dr. Jonathan Reiner, former Vice President Dick Cheney’s cardiologist, observed that MRIs are typically prompted by symptoms.
Sean P. Barbabella, a Navy Captain and Trump’s physician, discussed the President’s health in official statements. Barbabella confirmed that Trump underwent advanced imaging as part of his physical examinations and maintained that he was in “exceptional health.”
Trump started his extended holiday stay in Palm Beach County on December 20. His travel itinerary has been packed with notable meetings and international trips, hence the frequent use of Air Force One.