Colorado: US President Joe Biden tripped on a sandbag and tumbled over an obstacle on stage at the Air Force Academy here but appeared unhurt. He joked about it later.
Biden, 80, who had delivered the commencement address to graduates of the military academy, had just shaken hands with a cadet and begun walking back to his seat when he fell, news agency AFP reported.
Air Force personnel helped him back up and he did not appear to require further help.
As he rose, Biden pointed to the object that had apparently caught his foot. It resembled a small black sandbag on the stage.
White House Communications Director Ben LaBolt tweeted shortly afterwards that “he’s fine. There was a sandbag on stage while he was shaking hands.”
Returning by Air Force One and Marine One to the White House later, Biden had another spot of bad luck: he bumped his head exiting the door of the helicopter. He showed no sign of injury as he walked across the South Lawn and quipped to reporters that “I got sandbagged.”
Biden is the oldest person ever in the presidency and is seeking a second term in the 2024 election. His official doctor’s report this year declared him physically fit and he exercises regularly.
Joe Biden just had a really bad fall at the U.S. Air Force Academy graduation. Falling like this at his age is very serious. Democrats want us to trust him to be the President until Jan, 2029. If we’re being real we all know that’s insane. He’s in no condition to run. pic.twitter.com/wacE0bojb9
— Robby Starbuck (@robbystarbuck) June 1, 2023