A video of US President Donald Trump departing for Kansas on Monday (Oct 19) appeared to show him wandering across the White House's newly renovated helicopter pad, waving, saluting and bowing as if greeting a crowd. When the camera pulled back, however, no one appeared to be nearby. The clip quickly went viral and reignited questions about the president's health.From another angle, Trump can be seen dragging his right leg and patting it as he approaches Marine One. He suddenly stops walking and starts waving at what appears to be empty space, while his aides approach from a completely different direction. What was the 80-year-old POTUS waving at?Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-zelensky-not-a-good-guy-amid-fresh-russia-ukraine-tensions-1792118124388">Trump says Zelensky 'not a good guy' amid fresh Russia-Ukraine tensions | Watch video</a><h2>'Major mental decline': Critics weigh in</h2>Users on X speculated that the president might have been hallucinating or waving at his reflection, both troubling possibilities. Brian Krassenstein, a political podcaster and social media influencer critical of Trump, responded to the strange moment. "I now have absolutely no doubt that Donald Trump has major mental decline," he wrote on X. "Just think for one minute if Joe Biden had waved into the abyss like Trump just did here. Imagine what Fox News would be saying."Social media influencer Harry Sisson, who reshared the clip, said the image showed no people at all, and that even when zoomed in, nobody could be seen. He suggested that a generous reading might be that a person was hidden somewhere in the frame, but that he could not find anyone, and that the moment looked strange overall.Watch video here:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">LOL - Trump stops mid helipad to wave and salute nobody.

Watch at 0:21, the camera zooms out to show.

Natalie Harp can also be seen on her way to Marine One. #TravelWithNatalie https://t.co/5bejfnJc2j&mdash; Donk Media ♻️™ (@donkoclock) <a href="https://x.com/donkoclock/status/2112272018200564100?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 19, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Not the first time Trump mental health in question</h2>This is not the first time Trump has appeared to wander off confusedly prompting questions about his mental health. In October last year, Trump seemed to forget where he was going as he walked through a room filled with dignitaries and a military band during a visit to Japan, at one point even leaving Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi behind.Since returning to office, the president has often appeared to lose track of his thoughts, his whereabouts, and even his grasp on the English language. The latest episode adds to a pattern that has drawn scrutiny since he returned to the White House in January 2025.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ruh-roh-top-us-official-mocks-indian-market-collapse-claim-after-trump-s-it-curbs-but-did-it-fact-check-1791537447979">‘Ruh Roh’: Top US official mocks ‘Indian market collapse’ claim after Trump’s IT curbs. But did it? | FACT CHECK</a><h2>Trump health questions mount</h2>There have also been other concerns. First came the bruises on Trump's hands, which the White House downplayed as the result of shaking too many hands. When swelling appeared on his legs, he was quickly diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency. Trump and those close to him have always maintained that he is in excellent physical and mental condition, but ahead of the elections, it seems not everyone agrees, especially after multiple recent cases in which he appeared to struggle to stay awake during meetings.While Trump often lambasted his predecessor Joe Biden for being "sleepy," the 80-year-old has also been caught on camera sleeping, multiple times.<h2>The other side: Was he greeting staff?</h2>Not everyone accepts the viral interpretation. Reports suggest Trump was actually waving at support staff and technical crews who helped with his departure. In normal presidential and campaign travel routines, salutes and waves are usually directed toward distant security teams, Secret Service members positioned at the perimeter, or groups of media cameras and reporters kept far back from the aircraft for safety.&nbsp;

A viral clip appears to show Trump waving at 'empty space' as he boards Marine One, sparking claims of mental decline. Critics say imagine if Biden had done it. Scroll down for video and more.

A video of US President Donald Trump departing for Kansas on Monday (Oct 19) appeared to show him wandering across the White House's newly renovated helicopter pad, waving, saluting and bowing as if greeting a crowd. When the camera pulled back, however, no one appeared to be nearby. The clip quickly went viral and reignited questions about the president's health. From another angle, Trump can be seen dragging his right leg and patting it as he approaches Marine One. He suddenly stops walking and starts waving at what appears to be empty space, while his aides approach from a completely different direction. What was the 80-year-old POTUS waving at? Also read | Trump says Zelensky 'not a good guy' amid fresh Russia-Ukraine tensions | Watch video 'Major mental decline': Critics weigh in Users on X speculated that the president might have been hallucinating or waving at his reflection, both troubling possibilities. Brian Krassenstein, a political podcaster and social media influencer critical of Trump, responded to the strange moment. "I now have absolutely no doubt that Donald Trump has major mental decline," he wrote on X. "Just think for one minute if Joe Biden had waved into the abyss like Trump just did here. Imagine what Fox News would be saying." Social media influencer Harry Sisson, who reshared the clip, said the image showed no people at all, and that even when zoomed in, nobody could be seen. He suggested that a generous reading might be that a person was hidden somewhere in the frame, but that he could not find anyone, and that the moment looked strange overall. Watch video here:

A viral clip appears to show Trump waving at 'empty space' as he boards Marine One, sparking claims of mental decline. Critics say imagine if Biden had done it. Scroll down for video and more.

Trump waves at 'empty space' in viral video,' critics claim 'mental decline getting worse' | WATCH

United States President Donald Trump while speaking at the Forum Club of the Palm Beaches in Florida on Friday (May 1) jokingly said that the US would be "taking over" Cuba "almost immediately." He said "Cuba’s got problems. We’ll finish one first. I like to finish a job."&nbsp;Trump then boasted about American force's power saying, “On the way back from Iran, we’ll have one of our big — maybe the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier — the biggest in the world.”&nbsp;“We’ll have that come in, stop about 100 yards offshore, and they’ll say, ‘Thank you very much, we give up.’”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">NEW: President Trump appears to joke about taking over Cuba &quot;on the way back from Iran.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/ZxdgUgEMyZ">pic.twitter.com/ZxdgUgEMyZ</a>&mdash; Fox News (@FoxNews) <a href="https://twitter.com/FoxNews/status/2050386590195724364?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 2, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Trump's earlier statements on Cuba</h2>&nbsp;This is not the first time that Trump has threatened action against Cuba. Last month, he said Cuba will be "next" after the military operation against Iran and it will fail soon.Trump called the country a "mess" and said that the "Cuba is going to be next," in reply to a question posed by reporters.&nbsp;"It's a failing country, and they're going to be next. Within a short period of time, it's going to fail, and we will be there to help it out. We'll be there to help our great Cuban Americans out," he added.&nbsp;Cuba, a country situated 90 miles from Florida is reeling under sanctions by Washington.Earlier too Trump has described Cuba as being "in a bad shape" and a "weakened nation." He's also gone as far as saying he'll have "the honor of taking Cuba".&nbsp;

Trump also boasted about American forces power saying, On the way back from Iran, we’ll have one of our big — maybe the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier — the biggest in the world.

United States President Donald Trump while speaking at the Forum Club of the Palm Beaches in Florida on Friday (May 1) jokingly said that the US would be "taking over" Cuba "almost immediately." He said "Cuba’s got problems. We’ll finish one first. I like to finish a job." Trump then boasted about American force's power saying, “On the way back from Iran, we’ll have one of our big — maybe the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier — the biggest in the world.” “We’ll have that come in, stop about 100 yards offshore, and they’ll say, ‘Thank you very much, we give up.’”

Trump also boasted about American force's power saying, “On the way back from Iran, we’ll have one of our big — maybe the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier — the biggest in the world.”

WATCH: Trump jokes US will 'take over' Cuba 'almost immediately' after finishing with Iran

Donald Trump has a confession: Melania Trump is not a fan of his signature rally move. Speaking to a crowd at The Villages in Florida, Trump on Friday (May 1) revealed that the first lady objects to his end-of-rally YMCA routine, which he described, to the crowd's amusement, as dancing to "what's sometimes referred to as the gay national anthem." He then proceeded to do exactly that, working through his familiar repertoire of fist pumps, waves and stage movements as the 1978 Village People track filled the arena.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-he-was-in-that-very-building-iran-official-confirms-mojtaba-survived-strike-that-killed-ali-khamenei-dismisses-health-rumours-1777627435826">‘He was in that very building’: Iran official REVEALS Mojtaba survived strike that killed Ali Khamenei, dismisses health rumours</a><h2>"Not presidential"</h2>"She goes, 'Darling, please don't dance. It's not presidential," Trump told the crowd, trying to mimic Melania's voice. “I said, 'It may not be presidential, but I'm leading by 20 points in the polls so it's something.'”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Trump on dancing to YMCA by Village People: “Melania hates when I dance to what’s sometimes referred to as the gay national anthem.” 😭 <a href="https://t.co/z15reN4gCB">pic.twitter.com/z15reN4gCB</a>&mdash; johnny maga (@johnnymaga) <a href="https://twitter.com/johnnymaga/status/2050330441274556594?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 1, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

He also noted the song's unlikely chart history, how YMCA peaked at number five decades ago before returning to number one during the final stretch of his last campaign. "There's never been anything like it," he said. Minutes later, he breaks into the dance his wife hates, watch:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">🚨 NOW: President Trump just broke out into an energetic YMCA DANCE to a packed The Villages, Florida crowd He&#39;s going off, and added the golf swing 🤣 47 will go FULL 2024 MODE to help save the majority in the 2026 midterms, expect many more rallies! 🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/ao2N87H7ni">pic.twitter.com/ao2N87H7ni</a>&mdash; ᶜᵒᵐᵐᵉⁿᵗᵃʳʸ Donald J Trump Q (@DonaldJTrumRvQ) <a href="https://twitter.com/DonaldJTrumRvQ/status/2050341018571014267?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 1, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Melania thinks Trump's YMCA dance is "inappropriate"</h2>Melania's own account of the situation is more nuanced than outright opposition. In a Fox News appearance earlier this year, she told host Jesse Watters that she actually enjoys the dance, under the right circumstances. "I like it at certain times, but some days it's not appropriate, and I told him so," she said. "But it's his dance, and I think people love it. All around the world, they're dancing. It brings happiness and fun."Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/god-save-the-marriage-trump-s-awkward-marriage-joke-earns-him-a-melania-death-stare-watch-viral-video-watch-king-charles-iii-visit-1777438081916">God save the marriage? Trump's awkward marriage joke earns him a Melania death stare | WATCH viral video</a>The YMCA moment at The Villages came days after Trump sparked a different kind of marital awkwardness, that too in front of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, when he joked during the White House welcome ceremony that his marriage could never match his parents' 63-year union. "That's a record we won't be able to match, darling. I'm sorry, it's just not going to work out that way," he said, turning to face Melania. The first lady's death stare, widely circulated on social media, suggested the joke landed poorly.&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump says Melania thinks his trademark YMCA dance isn’t exactly “presidential,” but he’s clearly not stopping. In classic Trump fashion, he admitted the criticism, joked about it, then did it anyway, right on cue. Scroll down for the viral moment.

Donald Trump has a confession: Melania Trump is not a fan of his signature rally move. Speaking to a crowd at The Villages in Florida, Trump on Friday (May 1) revealed that the first lady objects to his end-of-rally YMCA routine, which he described, to the crowd's amusement, as dancing to "what's sometimes referred to as the gay national anthem." He then proceeded to do exactly that, working through his familiar repertoire of fist pumps, waves and stage movements as the 1978 Village People track filled the arena. Also read | ‘He was in that very building’: Iran official REVEALS Mojtaba survived strike that killed Ali Khamenei, dismisses health rumours "Not presidential" "She goes, 'Darling, please don't dance. It's not presidential," Trump told the crowd, trying to mimic Melania's voice. “I said, 'It may not be presidential, but I'm leading by 20 points in the polls so it's something.'”

US President Donald Trump says Melania thinks his trademark YMCA dance isn’t exactly “presidential,” but he’s clearly not stopping. In classic Trump fashion, he admitted the criticism, joked about it, then did it anyway, right on cue. Scroll down for the viral moment.

'Not presidential': Trump confesses Melania hates his dancing to 'gay national anthem' but does it anyway | WATCH viral video

donald-trump-viral-video

Donald Trump Viral Video, News on Donald Trump Viral Video, stories on Donald Trump Viral Video, articles on Donald Trump Viral Video, Donald Trump Viral Video stories at Wion, Donald Trump Viral Video news, Donald Trump Viral Video latest news

donald trump-viral-video

Trump waves at 'empty space' in viral video,' critics claim 'mental decline getting worse' | WATCH

Trump jokes US will 'take over' Cuba 'immediately' after finishing with Iran

Trump admits Melania hates his dancing to 'gay national anthem,' does it anyway