Panic As President Falls On Air Force Stage (VIDEO)
Eko Hot Blog reports that US President Joe Biden tripped and fell while handing out diplomas at a graduation ceremony for the US Air Force Academy in Colorado.
Biden (80) was seen being helped up by Air Force officials and walking back to his seat unassisted.
The president had been standing for about an hour and a half to shake hands with each of the 921 graduating cadets.
The White House communications director said, “he’s fine”.
“There was a sandbag on stage while he was shaking hands,” Ben LaBolt wrote on Twitter after Thursday’s fall.
Biden is the oldest person ever in the presidency and is seeking a second term in the 2024 election. His official doctor’s report this year declared him physically fit and he exercises regularly.
In November 2020, shortly after winning his election against the incumbent Donald Trump, Biden broke his foot while playing with a pet dog.
Critics have said Biden is too old to run for a second term as president.
Recent polls suggest a majority of US voters are concerned about his advanced age. He would be 82 at the start of a second term if he wins.
This fall, in addition to previous stumbles from his bicycle and on the way up the Air Force One stairs, could add to those concerns.
Former President Donald Trump, the Republican frontrunner to face Mr Biden in the 2024 White House election, reacted to the incident at a campaign event in Iowa.
“I hope he wasn’t hurt,” said Trump (76), who has often poked fun at Mr Biden’s age. “That’s not inspiring.”
“The whole thing is crazy… even if you have to tip toe down the ramp,” added Mr. Trump, apparently referring to his own careful walk off a stage that made headlines in 2020.
He said at the time that the ramp at the US Military Academy in West Point, New York, was slippery, and brushed aside the ensuing media questions about his own health as fake news.
Mr Biden’s last physical examination was conducted this February.
White House physician Dr Kevin O’Connor wrote at the time: “The President remains fit for duty, and fully executes all of his responsibilities without any exemptions or accommodations.”
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