President Joe Biden stumbles and falls during graduation ceremony | American News

[ad_1]

As the president was aided by an Air Force officer and two members of his US Secret Service, he was seen pointing behind him with a sandbag.

Thursday, June 01, 2023 10:44 PM, United Kingdom

Joe Biden tripped and fell during a graduation ceremony at the US Air Force Academy.

The 80-year-old US president was quickly helped by three people and returned to his seat unaided after the incident in Colorado.

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

White House Communications Director Ben LaBolt said Mr Biden was fine.

“There was a sandbag on stage as he shook hands,” he said on Twitter.

Mr Biden, who stood for much of the hours-long ceremony shaking hands with graduates, appeared to trip over something and fell to his knees near the end as he handed over the final diploma.

He was aided by an Air Force officer and two members of his US Secret Service. Spectators, including some members of the official delegation on stage, watched in concern before the chef returned to his seat.

During the presentation, he greeted the graduates in blue uniforms.

Image: Mr Biden points to a sandbag after falling on stage. Photo: AP

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

The Democratic president is a candidate for re-election in 2024.

Speaking on the campaign trail in Iowa, front-runner for the Republican nomination next year, Donald Trump, said the fall was “uninspiring”, adding that “it’s all crazy”.

For some, Biden is a wise political operator – but for others he’s just too old for the job

In this politically charged country, the headline is either “He’s fine” or “He’s fallen (again)!”

Already, in Republican circles, the video is being circulated and used to support the narrative that he is losing control, or has lost control, of his faculties.

There are plenty of voters in this country who think President Biden’s age is a real issue as he seeks a second term as president.

For Republican Party candidates, his age and suitability for public office provide a clear and effective point of attack.

The videos are there: President Biden stumbling on the steps of Air Force One or appearing to get lost while walking to his helicopter in front of the White House.

There are even more videos of him seemingly losing his train of thought in speeches.

His supporters say these are low blows. As president, he is subject to regular medical examinations. There is no indication that he is physically or mentally unfit.

He struggled to control a stutter all his life, which supporters say explains his less than smooth delivery.

Photographs from the president’s final trip clearly show a sandbag in his path.

Yet – how much will all this count?

For some, he is a wise political operator with decades of experience. For others, he’s just too old for the job.

Those who want to use these moments against the president will increasingly do so as the election approaches next year.

This is a limited version of the story so unfortunately this content is not available. Open full version

When told by a member of the public that Mr Biden had fallen, Mr Trump, 76, said: “He did? He just fell on stage. He’s at the Air Academy Strength. Did he really fall? Well, I hope he wasn’t hurt. I hope he wasn’t hurt.

But… everything is, listen, everything is crazy. You gotta watch out for that… even if you have to tiptoe down a ramp…

“Well, it’s, it’s a bad place to fall when you do, I think it was the Air Force academy, right? It’s not inspiring.”

Read more:US President stumbles on the steps of Air Force OneBiden’s crash while getting off his bike after a beach ride with his wife Jill

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

The US president was also seen tripping over a flight of stairs at Itsukushima Shrine in Japan during his visit to the G7 last month.

[ad_2]