On Thursday, as he finished distributing diplomas at the US Air Force Academy graduating in Colorado, President Joe Biden stumbled over a sandbag and fell.
Following that, Biden showed no signs of distress as he made it to his seat in the stands on his own. After the ceremony, he was spotted grinning and jogging toward his car.
The president laughed about it later, exclaiming “I got sandbagged!” to reporters after stepping off Marine One on Thursday night. The White House reported that the president was alright following the incident.
Biden stumbled as he was sprinting away from the podium, where he had previously given the academy’s graduates their graduating address. He congratulated hundreds of cadets and distributed certificates for more than 90 minutes.
Biden’s arms were grabbed by a group of men, including two Secret Service agents, an Air Force Academy official, and others, who helped him get up again.
As he got back up, Biden pointed back toward the ground where he tripped, indicating something had gotten in his path. Video of the moment showed sandbags placed in front of the podium near where Biden had been standing. Earlier, the sandbags had been used to weigh down two teleprompters.
The president returned to his seat in the stands without assistance, and appeared in good spirits as the ceremony concluded.
“He’s fine. There was a sandbag on stage while he was shaking hands,” communications director Ben LaBolt wrote on Twitter.
The president didn’t respond to questions about the episode as he departed Colorado about an hour after he tripped.
Biden is 80 years old, the nation’s oldest president, and is running for a second term. He’s had previous stumbles in public, including falling to the ground during a bike ride last year in Delaware. He’s also been seen slipping on the stairs as he boards Air Force One.
Despite those incidents, Biden’s doctor has said is physically fit to serve in office. In recent physicals, Biden’s doctor has examined the president’s stiff gait, determining it was a result of “wear and tear” changes on Biden’s spine.
The most recent physical determined the condition was unchanged, albeit with “possibly tighter hamstrings and calves.”
Biden’s aides say his schedule remains busy, and point to lengthy days on foreign trips as evidence of his continued vigor.
In his speech to graduates, Biden did make light of his age, which his political rivals have seized upon as evidence of an inability to serve another term.
“When I was graduating from high school 300 years ago, I applied to the Naval Academy,” he said to laughter.
Biden told US Air Force Academy graduates they were entering a rapidly changing world as he stressed the critical role of US support for its allies and partners and emphasized ongoing US assistance for Ukraine.
In a changing world with “proliferating” global concerns including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, geopolitical competition with China, climate change, and artificial intelligence, Biden said the cadets will have “a lot to deal with” as they enter the military.
Additionally, he emphasized how America’s international alliances are a “sign of strength” and hailed the “incredible” Ukrainian people.
“The American people will continue to support Ukraine. To cheers, Biden declared, “We always defend democracies.