Reaction was mixed: some in the crowd and online found the routine amusing, but others called the display an "embarrassment." Observers noted the impersonation has surfaced several times before — in 2022, 2023 and twice already this year — making the latest outing feel familiar to critics.
Trump has publicly said his wife asked him to stop the gimmick, calling it unpresidential and terrible. The episode also reignited debate about his fitness for office, with detractors pointing to bruising and swollen ankles while he insists he is in peak health, touting a perfect physical and a top score on a cognitive test.