US

Joe Biden trips and falls during graduation ceremony

Joe Biden has tripped and fallen during a graduation ceremony at the US Air Force academy.

The American president, 80, was quickly helped up by three people, and walked back to his seat unassisted following the incident in Colorado.

As the leader was helped up, he pointed behind him, seeming to indicate what he tripped over.

White House communications director Ben LaBolt said Mr Biden was fine.

“There was a sandbag on stage while he was shaking hands,” he said.

Mr Biden, who stood for much of the hours-long ceremony to shake hands with graduates, appeared to trip over something and fell to his knees towards the end.

He was helped up by an Air Force officer as well as two members of his US Secret Service detail. Onlookers, including some members of the official delegation on stage, looked over in concern before the leader returned to his seat.

At the presentation, he gave salutes to the blue-uniformed graduates.

In his address in Colorado Springs to more than 900 cadets, the US commander-in-chief warned graduates they will enter service in an increasingly unstable world, citing challenges from Russia and China.

The president is running for re-election in 2024.

Read more:
US president stumbles on steps of Air Force One
Biden falls while getting off his bike after beach ride with wife Jill

Doctors declared him healthy and fit for duty after a physical examination in February.

The US president was also seen stumbling on a flight of steps at the Itsukushima Shrine in Japan during his G7 visit last month.

Articles You May Like

Trump says he will revoke Biden offshore drilling ban on first day in office
Body found in search for British hikers who went missing in the Dolomites
All five living US presidents pictured together at funeral of Jimmy Carter
‘I get to be one of the funny trivia answers!’ Meet the only NHL teammate of Ovechkin and Gretzky
How AI regulation could shake out in 2025