'Something is wrong with him': Health concerns arise as Donald Trump caught 'dragging' his right leg in video clip

DES MOINES, IOWA: Former president Donald Trump has sparked concerns about his health after a viral video captured him delivering pizzas to firefighters in Waukee, Iowa.

The 77-year-old ex-president, who won the GOP caucus showdown amid frigid temperatures, came under scrutiny as some observers noted a perceived "dragging" of his right leg in the footage.

Viral video raises questions about Donald Trump's health

The video, initially shared by avid Trump supporter "johnny maga", showcased the former president approaching firefighters, holding eight pizza boxes. "That's a lot of pizza. Can I have some, too?" the former president asked, drawing laughter.

Despite the seemingly lighthearted moment, critics on various platforms questioned Trump's gait.

"Trump is dragging his leg. Something is wrong with him," one posted on X.

"He is dragging his foot. Trying to pretend that he doesn’t have to drag. Probably why he walks so slow," another wrote.

"He doesn't look good. Walking funny too no?" someone else added.

Ron Filipkowski, editor-in-chief of the left-wing news outlet Meidas Touch, reposted the video, asserting that Trump "keeps dragging that right leg."

Filipkowski's post had garnered nearly 1 million views at the time of publication.

Washington Examiner reporter Samantha-Jo Roth added another layer to the controversy with a separate video showing what some viewers described as Trump's seemingly robotic movements.

This further fueled concerns about mobility issues, prompting comments that suggested an underlying medical problem.

"Does not look healthy," one reacted.

"He doesn't look well," a comment read.

"He looks 'off balance' while walking !! I am thinking there is a medical problem going on there!!" another offered.

Donald Trump's critiques of Joe Biden

The controversy surrounding Donald Trump's alleged leg issue brought attention to his past critiques of opponent Joe Biden's health and cognitive abilities. He has openly expressed doubts about the 81-year-old's fitness for the upcoming presidential run.

The narrative of Biden experiencing cognitive decline or lacking the mental acuity to serve as president has long been a fixture in conservative media.

Recent mainstream concerns were highlighted in a Washington Post-ABC News poll, revealing that only 32% of respondents believed in Biden's "mental sharpness" for effective leadership, a considerable drop from previous polls.

As Biden, now 80, gears up for the 2024 presidential race, his age and mental faculties are expected to be a primary target for conservatives during the campaign.

The emergence of AI-generated audio tools has facilitated the manipulation of Biden's persona, making it more accessible for those with basic digital skills.

Regardless, Biden's history of real-life gaffes, verbal stumbles linked to a lifelong speech impediment, and limited news conferences provide fodder for speculative claims of mental decline.

The criticisms persisted during Biden's presidency, culminating in a group of 54 Republican lawmakers writing an open letter expressing concern about the president's "current cognitive state" and urging him to undergo a mental fitness test.

The letter referenced signs of mental decline from the Alzheimer’s Association and listed a series of Biden's gaffes along with polling data on his mental state.

Conservative media outlets, including Fox News, maintained a consistent narrative. Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson ran a segment alleging a Democratic party conspiracy to conceal Biden's alleged cognitive incapacity.

Host Sean Hannity told viewers that Biden was displaying signs of dementia and was "plagued by his own cognitive decline."

The claims of "dementia" have gained further amplification across conservative media platforms like Rumble. Even influential figures such as podcast host Joe Rogan told his millions of listeners last year that Biden was "basically a shell" of his former self, at least cognitively, The Guardian reported.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.