Joe Biden falls on stage during Air Force graduation ceremony

The 80-year-old US president appeared to trip over a sandbag on stage and fell to his knees as an Air Force graduation concluded but was unhurt| VIDEO

President Biden fell down while on stage at the US Air Force Academy on Thursday after handing out diplomas to the military academy’s graduates. The president was helped up by a group of officials, and the White House said he was fine.

Biden, who is the oldest president in American history at age 80, delivered the commencement address at the Colorado Springs, Colo., academy and then stood near the front of the stage for about two hours, saluting the new graduates and shaking their hands.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, Biden appeared to trip on a black sandbag that was positioned on the stage. After falling to his knees and being helped up, Biden, wearing a blue Air Force ball cap, appeared to point at the sandbag.

Joe Biden appeared to trip on a black sandbag that was positioned on the stage.

White House communications director Ben LaBolt tweeted that Biden was “fine. There was a sandbag on stage while he was shaking hands.” Republicans have sought to emphasise Biden’s age ahead of the 2024 presidential election. A Republican National Committee Twitter account posted a video of Biden’s fall to its followers.

Biden has responded to questions about his age and fitness for the office by pointing to his experience and performance during key moments such as his surprise trip to Ukraine in February. In an interview with ABC News in February, he said questions about his age were “legitimate,” adding, “The only thing I can say is, ‘Watch me.’”

In June 2022, Biden fell when dismounting from his bicycle near his vacation home in Delaware. In a separate incident, he stumbled while boarding Air Force One in March 2021 on a trip to Atlanta. He wasn’t injured on either occasion.

During his presidential transition, Biden suffered a hairline fracture to his right foot while playing with his dog, Major, and needed to wear a walking boot for several weeks.

During his remarks Thursday, Biden told more than 900 cadets at Falcon Stadium that they had “made a noble choice to lead a life of service,” adding they “shoulder a great privilege and a mighty responsibility.”

Dow Jones