US president Biden Falls during graduation
United States of America President Joe Biden fell on stage after making remarks at the US Air Force Academy graduation ceremony on Thursday, but the White House claimed he was unharmed.
Biden, 80, slipped and fell on the ground after presenting a diploma to the 900th cadet to cross the platform. Biden looked to point to a nearby sandbag for anchoring on the riser after falling, hinting that he stumbled on it.
Joe Biden is not physically fit for Presidency just like Robert Mugabe in his last days,l know a President is a human being who can trip and fall but some of these things speak beyond what we are told.
Biden is in the same group with the likes of Paul Biya of Cameroon, these man… https://t.co/9BoUzjcBIM
— Setfree Nherera Mafukidze 🇿🇼 (@cdesetfree) June 1, 2023
Later, White House communications director Ben LaBolt said Biden tripped over the sandbag.
Secret Service and Air Force personnel immediately helped Biden to his feet and he returned to his seat. Biden was seen walking unassisted to his motorcade after the ceremony ended.
Already the nation’s oldest president, Biden has faced questions about his health and fitness for office as he embarks on his run for a second term.
Biden in November 2020 suffered a hairline fracture to his right foot while playing with one of his dogs, and had to wear a walking boot during his recovery.
Biden was on stage Thursday for more than 90 minutes handing out diplomas and shaking hands with academy graduates following his commencement speech. The Air Force Academy is located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, at a site that sits 7,258 feet above sea level, according to the Air Force.
Biden was given water periodically throughout the ceremony, and reporters were advised to hydrate to stave off altitude sickness.
Service academy commencement ceremonies can be lengthy affairs that are physically demanding for presidents, who speak and then stand on stage to greet each graduate.
Then-President Donald Trump, who was then 74, faced scrutiny over his health after he shuffled haltingly down a ramp at the US Military Academy at West Point following his commencement speech there.
“The ramp that I descended after my West Point Commencement speech was very long & steep, had no handrail and, most importantly, was very slippery,” he said in a statement at the time. “The last thing I was going to do is ‘fall’ for the Fake News to have fun with. Final ten feet I ran down to level ground. Momentum!”
