WASHINGTON: President Joe Biden stumbled and fell on stage during the graduation ceremony for the US Air Force Academy on Thursday, but a White House aide assured that the president is “fine.”
The incident occurred as Biden was heading back to his seat after shaking hands with over 900 graduates. While appearing to move as if he was going to jog, he tripped and fell on the stage.
Following the fall, Biden was promptly assisted by two US Secret Service agents and an Air Force official. He then pointed to something on stage that may have caused him to trip. The White House communications director, Ben LaBolt, retweeted a reporter’s post about the incident, confirming that Biden was OK.
He's fine. There was a sandbag on stage while he was shaking hands. https://t.co/jP4sJiirHh
— Ben LaBolt (@WHCommsDir) June 1, 2023
Biden Return to Washington
Despite the fall, Biden continued to engage with graduates, taking photos and selfies from his seat. He even jogged several times as he was leaving the event. Later, he boarded Air Force One to return to Washington, with White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre assuring reporters that “he’s totally fine” and noting his departure with a smile.
It is not the first time Biden has had a public fall. Last year, he fell off his bike during a weekend trip to his home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Questions about Biden’s physical fitness have arisen concerning his re-election bid. However, in February, the president’s physician, Dr. Kevin O’Connor, released a statement asserting that Biden is “fit” to carry out his duties as president based on a comprehensive medical review and examination.
