President Donald Trump delivered a meandering 45-minute speech to thousands of Navy sailors and families at the U.S. Navy’s 250th anniversary celebration aboard the USS Harry S. Truman at Naval Station Norfolk on Sunday, October 5, boasting that former White House physician Ronny Jackson declared him the “healthiest” and “best physical specimen” among Trump, Barack Obama, and George W. Bush, while predicting he will “one day” fall down stairs.
The event, delayed 45 minutes and held amid a government shutdown that began October 1, featured flyovers and naval demonstrations, but Trump’s tangent on his health—amid speculation about dementia symptoms—drew raised eyebrows. First Lady Melania Trump’s awkward “Hooya Navy” greeting also sparked social media mockery.
Blaming Democrats for the shutdown, Trump promised military pay raises and gloated about renaming the Gulf of Mexico and Department of Defense, as Secretary of War Pete Hegseth introduced him after a September 30 Quantico speech ending “woke” culture.
Trump’s Health Boast and Obama Provocation
Trump, 79, opened by honoring the Navy but quickly pivoted to his health, claiming Jackson—his former physician, now Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-TX)—said at a press conference, “Who’s in the best shape? Who’s the healthiest? Who’s the strongest? Who’s the best physical specimen of the three? That’s easy: President Donald Trump.”
Trump added, “I said, ‘I love this guy.’” However, Jackson has never publicly made the comparison, per Newsweek fact-checks from November 2024 and October 2025. Jackson’s 2018 assessment praised Trump’s “incredible genes” and suggested he could live to 200 with better diet, but no Obama or Bush comparison exists.
Jackson served under Bush, Obama, and Trump, but was demoted in 2022 for inappropriate comments and alcohol policy violations, reinstated in August 2025.
Trump then referred to Obama as “Barack Hussein Obama,” asking, “Have you heard of him?” pausing for boos or applause, but the crowd remained silent, creating an awkward moment captured on video footage. The full name usage echoed Trump’s 2011 birtherism.
Trump lashed at predecessor Joe Biden, 82, saying, “We had a horrible, horrible president who had no clue what the hell was happening. The chances of him walking down those stairs successfully were not good.” He added a self-deprecating note: “And I have to be careful because one day I’m gonna probably fall.” Trump revealed his stair mantra: “Walk down the steps nice and slowly… I don’t have to bop down the stairs.” Similar comments came during his September 30 Quantico speech to generals.
Trump’s health scrutiny intensified after a June 8, stumble up Air Force One stairs in Morristown, New Jersey, en route to Camp David, where he lost footing but gripped the railing. Viral videos drew mockery, with users noting irony given Trump’s Biden jabs.
In July, the White House announced a chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) diagnosis after leg swelling, a benign condition common in those over 70 causing blood pooling. Dr. Sean Barbabella confirmed no deep vein thrombosis or heart failure, attributing hand bruises to handshakes and aspirin. CVI affects 10-35% of U.S. adults, with risks like leg ulcers if untreated, per Cleveland Clinic.
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Melania’s “Hooya Navy” Greeting
Melania Trump, in a white USA baseball cap, opened with “Hooya Navy” repeated three times to a long pause before sparse applause. The phrase, Navy SEALs’ battle cry for morale or confirmation, was mispronounced (“Hooyah”), drawing trolls like “This is the cringest thing I’ve ever seen” and “MAGA are losing it over Bad Bunny but his English is better than Melania’s,” referencing a viral Bad Bunny clip.
The Navy event celebration, despite the October 1 shutdown—the 11th under Trump—featured F/A-18 flyovers, USS George H.W. Bush demonstrations, and Trump’s shutdown blame on Democrats for “illegal aliens” getting “massive health care,” implying they aimed “to destroy this wonderful celebration.”
Trump wrote on Truth Social pre-event, “I believe, ‘THE SHOW MUST GO ON!’ This will be the largest Celebration in the History of the Navy… I look forward to this special day with all of them.”
The shutdown, over Obamacare subsidies and rescissions, furloughed 800,000 workers. Senate Democrats rejected a Republican CR to November 21, without $1 trillion in health protections. OMB Director Russ Vought announced mass layoffs starting October 3, targeting “Democrat agencies.”
Trump promised “across-the-board pay raises” for service members, drawing cheers. Hegseth introduced Trump, a week after his September 30 Quantico speech summoning 300+ commanders to end “woke” culture, mandating “male-level” fitness, banning beards, and firing “fat generals.” Hegseth said, “We became the ‘Woke Department,'” issuing 10 directives.
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The event ties to Trump’s challenges: Epstein files on September 8, August jobs report, health rumors, September 6 Chicago post, court losses. GOP rifts over Epstein risk 2026 midterms. Kirk’s assassination on September 10 amplified far-right solidarity.
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