2nd June 2023 – (Washington) President Joe Biden took a fall on stage during the U.S. Air Force Academy graduation ceremony in Colorado on Thursday. Biden, who had delivered the commencement address and proceeded to shake hands with graduates, fell near the podium as he stepped away, but was quickly helped back to his feet by Secret Service agents and an Air Force officer.
Biden, who is 80 years old, walked away unassisted once he was upright and continued to stand and greet people for the remainder of the ceremony. He appeared to trip on a black sandbag being used to steady his teleprompter, according to pool reporters traveling with him, and pointed back at it after he got up.
The White House communications director tweeted that Biden was fine and that there was a sandbag on stage while he was shaking hands. The White House press secretary also confirmed that Biden was “totally fine” as she boarded Air Force One.
Biden’s age and fitness have been a factor in his reelection campaign, as he is the oldest sitting president in history and would be 86 at the end of a second term should he win again in 2024. A recent poll found that Americans had concerns about Biden’s physical health, but Biden has said that it will be up to voters to judge “whether or not I have it or don’t have it.”
Former President Donald Trump, who would also be in his 80s if elected, responded to the news of Biden’s fall by expressing concern for his well-being and poking fun at his own experience with criticism about his age.