'This time I'm sitting': Trump complains about standing for too long amid health speculations

WASHINGTON, DC: Donald Trump on Thursday, October 16, during a press conference at the White House, expressed difficulty with having to stand for long periods of time at Oval Office events.

He grumbled about standing too long while announcing new efforts to expand IVF access alongside Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr.

President Trump takes a seat on RFK Jr's advice during conference

Trump while addressing the people from his podium at the press conference said, “Yesterday I did this and I stood for about an hour and a half as people spoke.”

However, according to reports, President Trump’s Oval Office briefing on Wednesday with FBI Director Kash Patel, Assistant Attorney General Charles Patterson and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche ended after only one hour.

“This time I’m sitting right there,” he said, indicating his chair behind the Resolute Desk said, “And I'm going to watch you.”

He added “I stood for an hour and a half like this. I said, 'You've got to be joking. Here we go.'” And then, turning to RFK Jr, Trump said, “Bobby, do you want me to stand or sit?” 

Kennedy then patted the president’s chair in answer. “Thanks Bobby,” Trump responded before walking across to his chair and dropping into it, leaving other people standing behind him following which he gave his closing remarks about 20 minutes later.

Trump’s heath concerns and White House responses

Trump’s impromptu complaint comes as new concerns about his health have been gaining ground. Just two weeks ago, he was caught on camera with noticeably swollen ankles while sitting down at the Oval Office with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.

As the cameras clicked away, Trump’s cankles stuck out from his shiny black shoes with viewers noticing that live feeds seemed to stay away from showing close-ups of the president’s feet.

When asked about the photos, spokesman Kush Desai dismissed the speculation saying that the president is in ‘great health’.

Desai stated, "President Trump has tremendous health. He's a champion-level golfer with the vitality, mental acuity, and energy levels that most young people could not fathom having."

Meanahile in August, CBS News correspondent Ed O’Keefe asked Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt if the president's doctor, who had declared him"great health" in April, would give a statement regarding the swelling and bruising visible in recent pictures.

Leavitt while reaffirming the president’s stamina, responded by saying, "I don't want to make that commitment on behalf of the physician," but added, “It’s something we can look into out of transparency, because unlike the previous White House, there is nothing to hide.”