Internet detectives think they’ve figured out why Donald Trump walked strangely on his way to his important meeting with Vladimir Putin in Alaska last week.
On Friday, August 15, two of the most powerful leaders in the world met to discuss a ceasefire regarding Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Trump, who has always claimed to be a great negotiator, mentioned before the meeting that he would present an offer that was “too good” to turn down.
As of now, no agreement has been made (there is still no ceasefire), but Trump – who had previously warned of “very severe consequences” if the meeting didn’t go well – stated that significant progress had been made between him and Putin.
It’s not surprising that many things related to the meeting made news over the weekend, like Trump doing his “yank” handshake when he met Putin, and people noticing a B-2 stealth bomber flying above before the meeting started.
However, what really got people talking (at least before the summit) was Trump’s odd way of walking when he got off his plane and stepped onto the red carpet that led to the meeting.
Online users couldn’t stop commenting on the 79-year-old President’s strange inability to walk in a straight line, which led to guesses about why he was swaying left and right.
I’m only half joking here, but if I was almost assassinated twice, I’d probably walk in zig-zags for the rest of my life. https://t.co/gUs9AL352K
— John Ekdahl (@JohnEkdahl) August 16, 2025
“Can any doctors explain to me why Trump is having trouble walking straight?” one user asked on X.
Of course, some people thought that his strange walking style was due to rumored health problems, but there were also some darker theories floating around.
One theory suggested the serious risk of assassination, especially after the incident where Trump was shot in the ear during his campaign last year.
One user on X wrote: “I’m only half joking, but if I had been almost assassinated twice, I’d probably walk in zig-zags for the rest of my life.”
Another user commented: “I thought the same thing. It’s almost like a reflex now.”
A third user wondered: “Is he zig-zagging to dodge bullets? Or is it just nervousness?”
Over the weekend, conspiracy theories about Trump and Putin’s big meeting were everywhere. Some people online even thought that Putin sent a body double to the summit in Alaska while the real president stayed far away.
In an interview with the Daily Star, body language expert Inbaal Honigman dismissed this idea, saying: “As we watch Vladimir Putin walk next to Donald Trump, the Russian president’s well-known ‘gunslinger gait’ is clear as ever.”
What do you think about President Trump’s way of walking? Share your thoughts in the comments!
