Putin’s Walk, Smile and Height Spark Body Double Speculation After Alaska Meeting With Trump

Speculation swirled online Friday night after Russian President Vladimir Putin met with US President Donald Trump in Alaska in a high-profile meeting. Some online users claimed that Putin never actually landed in Anchorage. As soon as pictures and videos from the summit came out, social media filled with talk that a body double might have been sent to represent the Russian leader. People pointed to changes in the way he walked, his face, and even the way he stood, fueling heated debates across X (earlier Twitter).

Claims About His Look and Behavior

From Putin’s height to his gestures, users raised many doubts. Several side-by-side photos were shared, with some insisting the man meeting Trump looked “thinner” or “less lively” than the Russian leader in the past. Others mentioned that his voice and accent sounded unusual during short remarks. One user posted, “I don’t believe this is Putin. He must have sent a double to Alaska. Considering his paranoia, this is not shocking. Another person on X wrote, “Is this even the same person? Look at the jawline and the neck. The ears are similar, but there’s a bump under one ear in the recent photo. People who have observed Putin for years say his mannerisms don’t match. Maybe a double was used for security reasons.” A third user remarked, “This is the first time I see him smiling like this. It looks strange, almost uncomfortable.” Many also referred to his unique “gunslinger walk,” where one arm stays stiff while the other moves normally, as a detail to watch.

Putin and Trump Talk on Ukraine War

At their joint press briefing after the Alaska meeting, Putin made a strong statement about the Ukraine war. He claimed the conflict would not have started if Trump had been US President in 2022. Trump has often argued that Russia would not have invaded Ukraine under his leadership, blaming the war on Joe Biden’s presidency.

Putin’s Reminder to Biden

Supporting Trump’s view, Putin said he had earlier warned Biden about the risks. According to him, he urged the US at the time not to allow the crisis to reach a stage where military action would be unavoidable. “I want to remind you,” Putin said, “that in 2022, during my last discussion with the previous administration, I clearly told them the situation should not reach the point of no return. I said it directly back then.