US President Joe Biden tumbled onstage Thursday while handing out diplomas during the graduation ceremony at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado.
The White House said Thursday that the president tripped over a sandbag and that he was not injured by the fall.
Biden, 80, felled to the ground and was helped to his feet. He appeared fine after the tumble, and he was able to walk away unassisted.
https://twitter.com/investogist/status/1664429501273583616?t=m5PSvwuWSKhK6IHmInu_aw&s=19
“He’s fine. There was a sandbag on stage while he was shaking hands,” White House communications director Ben LaBolt tweeted.
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 also delivered the academy’s commencement speech, which was held at Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs.
During his remarks, he praised the graduates for choosing “service over self.”
“Graduates, you made a noble choice to lead a life of service,” Biden said. “Now you also shoulder a great privilege and a mighty responsibility. Leadership, yeah leadership.”
Biden’s fall Thursday comes about two years after he fell on the steps while boarding the Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews.
Following the March 2021 fall in which Biden was filmed tripping on multiple steps, the White House said he was “doing 100% fine” and blamed the stumble on the gusty conditions.
“It’s pretty windy outside, it’s very windy. I almost fell coming up the steps myself. He is doing 100% fine,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters at the time.
Ifunanya Ikueze is an Engineer, Safety Professional, Writer, Investor, Entrepreneur and Educator.
