Moment US President Biden falls, trips on stage

Moment US President Biden falls, trips on stage

President Joe Biden of the United States on Thursday tripped and fell while handing out diplomas at a graduation ceremony for the Air Force Academy in Colorado.

Biden, 80, was helped back up to his feet and appeared to be unhurt, the BBC News reports.

The US president had been standing for about an hour and a half having a handshake with each of the 921 graduating cadets.

As Biden was helped up, he pointed behind him, seeming to indicate what he tripped over.

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The White House communications director said “he’s fine”.

“There was a sandbag on stage while he was shaking hands,” Ben LaBolt wrote on Twitter after Thursday’s fall.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Biden was feeling “totally fine” and had boarded the plane flashing “a big smile”.

Critics have said Biden is too old to run for a second term as president.

Recent polls suggest a majority of US voters are concerned about his advanced age. He would be 82 at the start of a second term if he wins.

This fall, in addition to previous stumbles from his bicycle and on the way up the Air Force One stairs, could add to those concerns.

Former President Donald Trump, the Republican frontrunner to face Mr Biden in the 2024 White House election, reacted to the incident from a campaign event in Iowa, saying “the whole thing is crazy”.

“I hope he wasn’t hurt,” said Mr Trump, 76, who has often poked fun at Mr Biden’s age.

Moment US President Biden falls, trips on stage