Biden fell on stage at the Airforce Academy graduation ceremony.
Glamtush reports that President Joe Biden, who delivered the commencement address and proceeded to shake hands with graduates at the U.S. Air Force Academy on Thursday, tripped and fell near the podium as he stepped away and was quickly helped back to his feet by Secret Service agents and an Air Force officer.
This online news platform understands that the 80-year-old U.S. president walked back to his seat unassisted.
He appeared to trip on a black sandbag being used to steady his teleprompter, according to pool reporters traveling with him, and pointed back at it after he got up.
“He’s fine. There was a sandbag on stage while he was shaking hands,” Ben LaBolt, the White House communications director, tweeted as videos of the incident circulated online.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre also said Biden is “totally fine” while she boarded Air Force One, according to the reporters traveling with Biden.
Later, returning to the White House, Biden said, “I got sandbagged!” as reporters shouted questions about how he was feeling.
He didn’t add anything beyond that — but did appear to try and show he was feel OK, doing a bit of footwork for the press before walking inside.
Biden’s age and fitness have been a factor in his reelection campaign. He is the oldest sitting president in history and would be 86 at the end of second term should he win again in 2024.
