President Joe Biden is “fine” after falling on stage at the U.S. Air Force Academy graduation ceremony in Colorado on Thursday, a White House aide said.
Biden delivered the commencement address and shook hands with over 900 graduates before falling when attempting to go back to his seat. The President was quickly assisted by those around him, including Secret Service members, in returning to his feet.
Before getting up, Biden pointed to something on stage that caused him to trip, according to the press pool. Once he was up, he returned to his seat unassisted and continued to greet other guests.
White House communications director retweeted a reporter’s video and commented the President was doing fine.
“He’s fine. There was a sandbag on stage while he was shaking hands,” LaBolt said.
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 the President.
This is not the first time Biden has tumbled. He previously fell off his bike during a weekend trip to his home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, and fell while boarding Air Force One.
The latest stumble will likely raise more questions about his age and fitness to serve, the one major issue for voters in the 2024 election. A Washington Post-ABC News poll last month found that 33 percent of adults think Biden is in good enough physical shape to serve effectively as president and 64 percent said the same thing about former President Donald Trump.
“President Biden remains a healthy, vigorous 80-year-old male, who is fit to successfully execute the duties of the Presidency,” White House physician, Dr. Kevin O’Connor said in a memo last year.
Trump was campaigning in Iowa on Thursday and responded to Biden’s fall while poking fun at himself when he also took a slow walk down a ramp.
“I hope he’s not hurt. The whole thing is crazy … even if you have to tip-toe down the ramp,” he said.
