A body language expert has claimed that Donald Trump may have been carrying out some form of "ritual" whilst descending the steps of Air Force One at the weekend, suggesting he is "probably losing some of his nimbleness with age."

The 79 year old president was captured on camera on Saturday disembarking Air Force One at Palm Beach International Airport for his Christmas and New Year break at his Mar-a-Lago estate.

Trump was observed patting his right leg three times at the summit of the stairway.

He subsequently grasped the handrail with his left hand as he commenced his descent before stepping directly into the presidential limousine awaiting him below.

Within the vehicle, he was spotted immediately taking a gulp from what looked to be a bottle of Diet Coke.

This follows revelations of the secret sinister plot of Trump's aides amid concerning health fears.

Body language specialist Judi James said Trump's "slapping gesture" might have formed part of a "self-motivational ritual" to ready himself for navigating the stairs.

"The slapping gesture could actually be a form of reminder or self-motivational ritual from Trump to himself to get into this state of temporary concentration needed to take the stairs well," she explained.

"It could be a prepping gesture for a man whose natural inclination would be to showboat a little or wave on arrival," Judi added.

A body language expert pointed out that even a simple task like walking down stairs could be challenging for the ageing president. "Plane steps have always been a minefield for leaders like Trump and he is a big guy who is probably losing some of his nimbleness with age, like we all do," she observed.

Judi suggested that Trump's leg patting might also indicate celebration as he returns to Florida for the festive season. "It also looks like it could be a form of celebratory ritual, a kind of one-handed clapping as he gets to arrive 'home' to spend Xmas. It could be done to signal enjoyment and even happiness publicly," she added.

It seems that Trump is planning to spend just over two weeks at Mar-a-Lago for his annual Christmas and New Year's trip to Palm Beach. On 15 December, the Federal Aviation Administration issued a notice stating that temporary flight restrictions typically associated with presidential travel are expected from 19 December to 4 January over airspace that includes Mar-a-Lago.

While the notice didn't specifically mention Trump, such notices often hint at the president's travel plans. Trump arrived in Palm Beach on Saturday.

Deputies from the West Palm Beach Sheriff's office were seen halting traffic as the president's motorcade made its way to his Mar-a-Lago club. Each of Trump's visits to Palm Beach leads to the closure of South Ocean Boulevard between Southern Boulevard and South County Road.

Trump's arrival on Saturday signifies his 16th visit to Palm Beach since he commenced his second term as president in January. He recently spent Thanksgiving in Florida, staying at Mar-a-Lago from 25-30 November.

This follows a lip reader's revelation of the chilling three-word promise that Trump whispered into Vladimir Putin's ear.