Caught on camera: Donald Trump and Marco Rubio stumble on Air Force One steps after tough talk on protests

Former President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio both tripped while boarding Air Force One on Sunday en route to Camp David, drawing attention and mockery online — particularly from critics quick to recall Trump’s past jabs at President Joe Biden’s similar missteps.

The stumble occurred shortly after Trump spoke with reporters in Hagerstown, Maryland. When asked if he would invoke the Insurrection Act in response to protests in Los Angeles over federal immigration raids, Trump replied, “Depends on whether or not there's an insurrection.” Pressed further, he denied an insurrection was underway but emphasised, “You have violent people. And we're not going to let them get away with it.”

Asked whether troops might be deployed without formally invoking the Insurrection Act, Trump declared, “We’re going to have troops everywhere. We’re not going to let this happen to our country. We’re not going to let our country be torn apart like it was under Biden.”

The airport stumble quickly sparked reactions on social media. One X user mocked, “Donald Trump can’t walk up a flight of stairs, he’s unfit to be President. …am I doing it right?” Others chimed in with sarcasm, comparing the moment to “Biden vibes” and speculating about Trump’s age or even body doubles.

The irony was not lost on observers: a president known for deriding others' slips now facing the same spotlight.