WASHINGTON (AP) – Hillary Clinton’s stumbles as she left a 9/11 memorial ceremony put her health at the forefront of a presidential campaign in which the two major party nominees are among the oldest ever and have disclosed a limited amount of information about their medical history.
The Democratic presidential nominee “felt overheated” Sunday and left the ground zero ceremony after about 90 minutes, her campaign said. A video of her departure shows Clinton appearing to stumble as three staff members hold her up and help her into a van.
While the former secretary of state later emerged from her daughter’s nearby apartment, saying she was “feeling great,” the episode focused attention on Clinton’s health with eight weeks remaining in a contentious election in which Republican rival Donald Trump has sought to sow doubts about her health and fitness to serve.
Trump has repeatedly questioned Clinton’s health, telling supporters last month she “lacks the mental and physical stamina” to serve as president and fight Islamic State militants. The billionaire businessman also attended Sunday’s memorial, and said “I don’t know anything” when asked about Clinton.
It’s an accusation that Clinton has sought to play off as a “wacky strategy” from Trump and evidence that he embraces an “alternative reality.” She poked fun at the idea during an appearance on ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live” last month, jokingly opening a pickle jar as proof of her vigor.