COLORADO SPRINGS – US President Joe Biden tripped and fell after handing out the last diploma at a graduation ceremony at the US Air Force Academy on Thursday, but got up quickly and walked back to his seat.
The 80-year-old President fell forward, caught himself with his hands, then got up on one knee, helped by three people.
He walked back to his seat unassisted.
After Mr Biden was helped up, he pointed behind him, seeming to indicate what he tripped over. He mingled with other officials afterwards, smiling and giving a “thumbs up” sign.
Upon returning to the White House, Mr Biden joked to reporters: “I got sandbagged.”
The fall came after a commencement address he delivered to a flag-waving audience, warning graduates they will enter service in an increasingly unstable world, citing challenges from Russia and China.
White House communications director Ben LaBolt said on Twitter that Mr Biden was fine.
“There was a sandbag on stage while he was shaking hands,” he explained.
“He’s totally fine,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters later.
Mr Biden, the oldest person to hold the Oval Office, is running for re-election in 2024. His leading Republican opponent, Donald Trump, turns 77 in June.
Trump, asked about Mr Biden’s fall during an Iowa rally, said: “He actually fell down? Well, I hope he wasn’t hurt.”
Trump added that “you gotta be careful about that” even if you have to “tiptoe down a ramp”.
In June 2020, Trump’s slow, careful descent of a ramp at the US Military Academy at West Point had some observers questioning his agility. “The last thing I was going to do is ‘fall’ for the Fake News to have fun with,” Trump tweeted afterwards.
In February 2023, doctors declared Mr Biden healthy and fit for duty after a physical examination, noting the President does not drink alcohol or use tobacco, and exercises at least five times a week.
Mr Biden fell as he was dismounting from his bicycle last June after snaring a foot in a toe clip, but was uninjured.
Polls show Americans are concerned about anyone over 75 becoming president. Data from the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention show that falls among adults 65 and older are the leading cause of fatal injury for that group. REUTERS
