Questions are being raised after President Donald Trump was seen walking in an unusual manner ahead of his high-profile meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska.
The meeting, which took place on August 15, was part of ongoing efforts to negotiate a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine after more than three years of devastating conflict.
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While Trump described the talks as “progress,” he provided few details about what was discussed and confirmed that no formal agreement had been reached.
However, the summit drew intense scrutiny not only for its political stakes but also for the curious footage of Trump exiting Air Force One and walking across a red carpet in what appeared to be a zig-zag pattern rather than a straight line.
The unusual gait quickly sparked theories online. Some suggested that Trump’s movement may have been a deliberate security tactic.
In the wake of last year’s assassination attempt, where Trump was struck by gunfire and survived another attempt just two months later, observers believe his team may now be encouraging him to walk unpredictably in public. The reasoning, according to security experts, is that walking in a zig-zag formation makes it harder for a sniper to line up a clean shot.
One commenter on X wrote: “SURVIVAL: Just last year Trump was shot by an assassin and narrowly escaped a second attempt on his life two months later. The zig-zag pattern is the very best way to frustrate an assassin’s bullet.” Another quipped: “As a Fortnite professional I can tell you he is avoiding potential sniper fire.”
Others pointed out that protective services often advise high-profile targets to alter their walking patterns when outdoors, especially in open areas where long-range attacks could be possible. “Likely targets of long-range snipers are often directed to walk in a zig-zag pattern to decrease the effectiveness of future attacks,” one user explained.
Still, not everyone was convinced the movement was intentional. Some suggested that Trump’s walking style may instead be linked to his health.
Earlier this year, reports surfaced that he had been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), a condition that causes the veins in the legs to weaken and struggle to pump blood properly.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, CVI can result in swelling, tightness in the calves, and discomfort when walking.
Miami Vein & Wellness describes the condition in greater detail, noting that patients may experience heaviness, aching, or restlessness in their legs, sometimes leading to changes in the way they walk.
“If you have CVI, your ankles may swell and your calves may feel tight. Your legs may also feel heavy, tired, restless, or achy. You may feel pain while walking or shortly after stopping,” the clinic states.
For now, it remains unclear whether Trump’s zig-zagging walk was a calculated security measure or a symptom of his medical condition. What is certain, however, is that the president’s every move (whether at the negotiation table or on the tarmac) is being closely analyzed as he positions himself once again at the center of international and domestic politics.