The Incident on the Stairs
On June 8, 2025, President Trump nearly took a tumble while climbing the stairs of Air Force One at Morristown Municipal Airport, New Jersey, on his way to Camp David. His left foot caught the edge of a step, causing him to momentarily lose balance before regaining composure with a quick grip on the railing and continuing upward
This stumble happened amid a tense moment—not only was Trump addressing questions about deploying National Guard troops in response to protests in Los Angeles, but he was also navigating public scrutiny over his response to civil unrest
Ironic Echoes: What Goes Around
Prominent reactions highlighted the irony: Trump had frequently ridiculed then-President Biden for falling while boarding Air Force One. In 2023, Trump called Biden’s fall “not inspiring,” and had even joked about Biden’s inability to walk up stairs
Now, the same misstep was etched into viral video—and social media didn’t let it slide.
Social Media Reactions: A Wave of Mockery
The online response was immediate and sharp—with snark, satire, and comparisons rife across platforms:
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Irony and “stair karma” — Many called it poetic justice. One user called it “stair karma,” underscoring how the tables have turned“Time for a wheelchair” — Political commentator Ron Filipkowski quipped, “Time to get Old Man Trump fitted for a wheelchair”
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Media double standards — Journalist Aaron Rupar observed: “When Joe Biden did stuff like this, Fox would play the clips over and over like it was as significant as the moon landing.” Another user noted media silence around Trump’s stumble: “Had this been Biden, there would be Breaking News all over TV media networks rn.”
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Portable escalator jokes — RC Huffman sardonically suggested, “I’m surprised he hasn’t replaced those stairs with a portable escalator of some kind.”Body double teasing — One X user deadpanned: “Trump stumbles while boarding Air Force One. Joe Biden vibes or maybe characteristics of body double.”
These comments underscore how online discourse swiftly turns a stumble into a weapon in political theater.
Late-Night Bite: Colbert Jumps In
Not to be outdone, Stephen Colbert addressed the incident in his Late Show monologue, using sharp humor to broaden the critique:
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He coined irreverent nicknames like “Benito Whoops-olini” and “Kim Jong Oops”—a play on the authoritarian image Trump sometimes cultivates
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Colbert also poked fun at Trump’s controversial plans to deploy troops in L.A. amidst protest unrest and his ongoing saber-rattling rhetoric. The stumble became a metaphor for what he called Trump’s “mock-dictator behavior”
Broader Context and Analysis
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Fitness and optics — This moment adds to ongoing conversations about presidential fitness—physical and rhetorical. Age, balance, and public demeanor are under tight scrutiny as Trump, now 78, campaigns for another term
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Meme culture in politics — The incident reflects how quickly public figures become part of meme-driven narratives. Viral content now wields more influence than traditional media. Trump’s stumble, Biden’s earlier missteps, and late-night comedians all fuel these cycles
In Summary
President Trump’s stumble on the stairs of Air Force One was more than a physical misstep—it was a moment loaded with irony, history, and political theater. The visuals echoed past scenes of Biden’s similar slips, scenes Trump had publicly mocked before.
Within moments, social media unleashed a cascade of mockery—taunts over “stair karma,” calls for a wheelchair, complaints about media bias, and body double jokes showcased how quickly a small accident can become a viral storyline.
Stephen Colbert’s sharp satire added another layer, linking the stumble to broader concerns about Trump’s posture of authority and authoritarian leanings.
Beyond humor, the incident intensifies discussions about Trump’s capabilities at 78, the power of optics in leadership, and the hyper-mediated world where every misstep is a storyline—or a punchline.
