Trump ignites conspiracy theory after people question bizarre detail in photo

Redditors are having a field day trying to figure out why US President Donald Trump seems to be doing the same thing in pictures - with users claiming he may just be channelling a music legend.

79-year-old Trump has been extremely busy since resuming office in January 2025, having signed in 170 executive orders, 45 memoranda, and 79 proclamations, as per the Federal Register.

In recent days, the Republican has taken extreme measures against the state of California, went on a rant about Tesla CEO Elon Musk and bizarrely announced a UFC fight at the White House.

However, none of those events is what currently has people talking. In fact, social media seems to be discussing Trump’s posture in various pictures.

Last month, a photograph of the US President was shared on Reddit, which showed him bizarrely leaning into microphones.

People are questioning why Donald Trump seems to lean in some pictures (Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Almost 500 comments have been left on the post, with fans and critics alike making a case for why they believe Trump is often photographed leaning instead of standing straight.

Referring to dance moves famously exhibited by music icon Michael Jackson, one Redditor began by joking that Trump’s supposed lean was ‘because he’s a smooth criminal’.

Someone else remarked that perhaps Trump could be leaning against ‘some kind of under-clothes supportive bracing’ to help him with prolonged standing.

In 2018, BBC reported that Trump’s working hours were typically around 11am to 6pm during his first presidency.

Following his return to the White House in January, Live Mint reported that the businessman’s workdays had stretched to a mammoth 18 hours.

And one can assume that a lot of Trump’s time is spent standing up, especially during official addresses, so a supportive brace could be the reason why he is often seen leaning.

Similarly, someone else typed: “He has a back brace that corrects his posture. There are pictures that show it.”

Another Redditor debated whether the US President could be wearing ‘three inch lifts’ in his shoes so that he could appear taller.

However, Levante Shoes has previously debunked this conspiracy theory.

The shoe specialists claim that Trump is often pictured wearing traditional shoes like loafers in photos, and that these type of shoes typically ‘don't have room for lifts’.

Trump is also six-foot-three (according to a physical examination summary that took place in April 2025), so he’s already pretty tall.

Meanwhile, others have suggested that the father-of-five may be leaning when speaking to other people as a show of dominance.

“Trying to appear imposing and dominant. In every way he can think of, ALL the f****ng time,” said one.

A second remarked: “The obsession with appearing ‘alpha/strong/dominant’ from these types has always given me the immediate opposite impression. It's pathetic.”

Tyla has contacted President Donald Trump at the White House for further comment.