COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — President Biden fell on stage after handing out the last diploma to Air Force graduates at a commencement ceremony on Thursday.
The president appeared to fall down to his knees before he was helped up by Air Force officials. He seemed OK and stood for the last few minutes of the ceremony.
Mr. Biden was walking back to his seat when he fell.
He appeared to have tripped on a black sandbag on the stage. When he fell, pointed to the black sandbag, as if saying that’s what he tripped on.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Mr. Biden is feeling “totally fine” and that he flashed a big smile while boarding Air Force One to head back to Washington.
Reporters traveling with Mr. Biden tried to ask him how he was feeling but he mouthed something that couldn’t be heard over the plane engines.
Every stumble by Mr. Biden tends to get extra scrutiny as he launches a reelection bid at the age of 80.
Mr. Biden has tripped on the Air Force One stairs before and wobbled on some stairs during his recent trip to Japan.
His predecessor and potential 2024 foe, former President Donald Trump, sparred with media after it questioned his ginger steps down a ramp at a West Point ceremony in 2020.
Mr. Trump, campaigning in Iowa on Thursday, referred to the West Point incident when told that Mr. Biden had fallen.
“I hope he wasn’t hurt,” Mr. Trump said. “You’ve got to be careful about that … even if you have to tip-toe down a ramp.”
• Jeff Mordock reported from Colorado.
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.
• Jeff Mordock can be reached at jmordock@washingtontimes.com.
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