BSS
  02 Jun 2023, 09:35

Biden trips, tumbles on Air Force stage

COLORADO SPRINGS, United States, June 2, 2023 (BSS/AFP) - President Joe Biden
took a face-first tumble on Thursday after tripping over an obstacle on stage
at the Air Force Academy in Colorado, but he appeared unhurt -- and joked
about it later.

Biden, 80, who had delivered the commencement address to graduates of the
military academy, had just shaken hands with a cadet and begun walking back
to his seat when he fell.

Air Force personnel helped him back up and he did not appear to require
further help.

As he rose, Biden pointed to the object that had apparently caught his foot.
It resembled a small black sandbag on the stage.

White House Communications Director Ben LaBolt tweeted shortly afterward that
"he's fine. There was a sandbag on stage while he was shaking hands."

Returning by Air Force One and Marine One to the White House later, Biden had
another spot of bad luck: he bumped his head exiting the door of the
helicopter.

He showed no sign of injury as he walked across the South Lawn and quipped to
reporters that "I got sandbagged."

Biden is the oldest person ever in the presidency and is seeking a second
term in the 2024 election. His official doctor's report this year declared
him physically fit and he exercises regularly.

In November 2020, shortly after winning his election against the incumbent
Donald Trump, Biden broke his foot while playing with a pet dog.