2-6-2023 (WASHINGTON) – President Joe Biden made light of his recent fall during the Air Force Academy commencement ceremony as he safely returned to the White House on Thursday. Despite the incident, the 80-year-old commander-in-chief couldn’t avoid another mishap as he bumped his head on the doorframe while disembarking from the plane later that evening. These repeated stumbles are fueling concerns about the president’s age and health, which could impact his chances of re-election.
some top Democrats have privately been saying for months that they’re nervous about Biden tripping again on the trail. Today he did—>
— Alex Thompson (@AlexThomp) June 1, 2023
The video of Biden stumbling and hitting the floor while handing out diplomas to cadets in Colorado quickly circulated. Secret Service members and cadets rushed to support him, but he managed to regain his footing and walked away unaided, gesturing towards a sandbag on the stage. The White House promptly asserted that the president was unharmed and attributed the fall to the presence of a black sandbag near the podium.
White House Communications Director Ben LaBolt took to Twitter to reassure the public, stating, ‘He’s fine. There was a sandbag on stage while he was shaking hands.’ However, this incident marks the fourth public fall Biden has experienced since assuming office in January 2021.
The recent stumble follows a similar incident during a visit to the Itsukushima Shrine in Hiroshima, Japan, where a railing was available to assist him down the stairs. Ignoring the railing, Biden stumbled but managed to regain his balance. He also stumbled while boarding Air Force One during a trip to Selma, Alabama, earlier this year. Notably, in 2021, Biden fell while climbing the stairs of Air Force One and toppled over on his bike near his Delaware beach house in June. Fortunately, he sustained no injuries in any of these episodes.
A pool reporter traveling with the president in Colorado confirmed that Biden tripped over a black sandbag on the stage, indicating it as the cause of his fall. This incident raises questions about the precautions taken to ensure the president’s safety during public appearances.
Comparisons have been drawn to former President Donald Trump’s own difficulties while walking down a ramp during a commencement speech at West Point three years ago. These incidents continue to fuel debates surrounding the physical capabilities and health of presidential figures.
