In a video posted on X by Emmanuel Macron, President Trump is seen placing a throw pillow on a sagging Trump Tower sofa before sitting down, while Macron sat directly on the cushion that sank. The clip intensified scrutiny of Trump's health—including visible hand bruising and swollen ankles—and came a day before his contentious nearly 40-minute U.N. address where he made threats toward Iran and criticized Cuba.
Video Shows Trump Using Throw Pillow On Sagging Sofa During Macron Visit — Renewed Scrutiny Of His Health
Trump needed a boost to sit comfortably on his couch. / Screenshot/Emmanuel Macron/X
President Donald Trump, 80, was filmed using a throw pillow to sit on a visibly sagging sofa during a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron at Trump Tower, a brief clip posted on X by Macron renewed attention to the president's physical condition.
Donald Trump with makeup covering his bruised hand on April 21, 2026. / Photo Illustration by The Daily Beast/Getty
What the video shows
Trump's puffy cankles peek out. / Jonathan Ernst/Reuters
In the clip, Macron sits directly on the seat, which noticeably gives way under him. Trump instead reaches for a throw pillow at the edge of the couch, places it on the cushion, and sits down. At one point he gestures toward the sofa and says, "You can sit right there." When Macron asks, "So, how are you?" Trump replies, "I'm good," and settles onto the pillow with his knees at a slightly higher angle.
Macron was in New York this week for the United Nations General Assembly alongside other world leaders. / Mike Segar / REUTERS
Context And Reactions
The Daily Beast has contacted the White House for comment. Media observers and some reporters have used such moments to raise questions about the president's health during his second term, noting visible bruising on his hands and swelling in his ankles. The White House has attributed hand discoloration to a high daily aspirin regimen; other reported observations have been attributed by some commentators to chronic venous issues.
On cognitive concerns
Civic and media critics have also pointed to episodes of slurred speech and occasions when Trump appeared drowsy or inattentive at public events. Supporters and the White House have pushed back against interpretations that draw medical conclusions from short clips, urging caution and noting that isolated moments do not constitute a diagnosis.
Follow-Up: United Nations Address
The meeting in New York preceded a near-40-minute address by Trump at the United Nations the following day. In that speech he made sharply worded remarks about Iran, celebrated the reported capture of Nicolás Maduro, and called Cuba a "failed state," comments that prompted Cuban delegates to leave the chamber. Reporters noted a largely muted reaction from many other world leaders during portions of the speech.
Note: This article reports on a public video and media coverage. Observations about health are those of reporters and observers; medical conclusions should not be drawn from brief clips alone.
Help us improve.
