In a live CNBC interview on Tuesday, former President Donald Trump attempted to mock his predecessor Joe Biden by highlighting his perceived physical limitations, specifically focusing on stair-climbing abilities. The conversation took an unusual turn when host Joe Kernen mentioned Saudi Arabia, prompting Trump to recall Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman's comment about America no longer being a "dead country" before suggesting the nation had become a laughingstock under Biden's leadership.
Trump's Critique of Biden's Mobility
Trump directly targeted Biden's physical coordination, stating, "He couldn't walk up a flight of stairs. Forget about down, he couldn't walk up a flight." This remark appeared to reference a widely circulated 2021 video showing Biden tripping multiple times while ascending the boarding stairs to Air Force One. The former president elaborated on his criticism, saying, "He was falling all over the place. I have to be careful because if I do trip or fall, it's going to be the biggest — that's why when I get out of those planes, I walk nice and slowly. I'm not looking to set any speed records."
Trump's Own Stair-Related Incidents
While emphasizing his careful approach to aircraft stairs, Trump neglected to mention his own documented difficulties with the same task. In June 2025, cameras captured Trump misstepping while boarding Air Force One at Morristown Municipal Airport in New Jersey, requiring him to regain balance using the railing. Agence France-Presse photographer Andrew Caballero-Reynolds captured the moment showing Trump's reaction as he gripped the railing before correcting his course.
This wasn't an isolated incident for the former president. Earlier in March 2025, Trump tripped while ascending the steps to Marine One after assisting Elon Musk's son, X Æ A-Xii, board the helicopter. These occurrences contradict Trump's portrayal of himself as particularly adept at stair navigation.
Historical Context of Presidential Stair Commentary
Trump's focus on presidential stair maneuvers isn't new. During a speech last month in Hebron, Kentucky, he boasted about walking down "soaking wet" steel stairs while expressing admiration for how Barack Obama "bobbed down" the stairs during his presidency. "You talk about unpresidential," Trump told the crowd. "He's bob — and I couldn't believe that he made it without at least a noticeable major fall."
The CNBC interview revealed Trump's ongoing preoccupation with physical demonstrations of presidential capability, particularly regarding stair navigation. His comments about Biden came during a broader discussion about international perceptions of American leadership, though the conversation quickly pivoted to the more personal critique of physical mobility.
This exchange highlights how seemingly minor physical moments — boarding aircraft stairs — have become symbolic in political discourse, with both current and former presidents facing scrutiny over their coordination during these routine transitions. The attention to such details reflects broader narratives about age, fitness, and presidential image that have become increasingly prominent in recent election cycles.
