In his first rally since the United States and Israel launched a war against Iran, President Donald Trump touted his economic record and the U.S. military mission, but also took the time to rail against his political enemies’ physical abilities.
At a rally in Kentucky, Trump mentioned how he tried to avoid slipping down the soaking-wet stairs: “I do it very slowly...because nobody cares if you set a speed record.” He then said he “admired” former President Barack Obama’s ability to walk down stairs — but then disparaged him, claiming that Obama’s “bob down the stairs” was “unpresidential.”
Then he turned his attention to Joe Biden, recounting how the former president has fallen, “and the world watches that and they don’t like seeing it.”
Trump’s preoccupation with how his opponents stay on their feet is nothing new. He has fixated upon it in past speeches, seemingly equating strength with the ability to go up and down stairs, and it reveals a lot about his views on leadership and who matters, according to a variety of experts on ableism.
“His comments may reflect ableism, but they may also reflect general ageism and fear of getting older,” said Douglas Kruse, co-director of Rutgers University’s Program for Disability Research. “My guess is that he’s trying to prove he’s still able, as many older people do.”
