United States President Joe Biden tripped and fell at a graduation ceremony in Colorado, U.S., on Thursday, June 1.
International media reported that the 80-year-old Head of State had just given a commencement address where he later stood for about one and half hours, to shake hands while handing diploma certificates to over 900 cadet graduates at the U.S Air Force Academy in Colorado.
In a now viral video seen on the BBC, Biden tripped and fell forward as he handed over the last diploma. He would support himself with his hands then get back on his knees with the help of an Air Force officer and two members of the secret service detail.
He then got up and walked back to his seat unassisted as the ceremony ended shortly after the incident.
Footage from the incident shows Biden appearing to point that he had tripped over a sandbag used to hold the teleprompter in place.
White House Communication Director Ben LaBolt later said that Biden was fine.
"There was a sandbag on stage while he was shaking hands," LaBolt wrote on Twitter.
Biden is seeking re-election in 2024 as he is set to face his Republican opponent Donald Trump.
Trump, while on his campaign trail in Lowa on Thursday is quoted saying: "He actually fell down? Well I hope he wasn't hurt," when an audience informed him of the incident.
According to Sky News, the former U.S President added that the fall was "not inspiring" insinuating that the "whole thing is crazy".
"But the whole thing is crazy. You have to be careful about that, even if you have to tiptoe down a ramp," he said.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis also commented on the incident during a campaign event in New Hampshire.
"We hope and wish Joe Biden a swift recovery from any injuries he may have sustained. But we also wish the United States of America a swift recovery from the injuries it has sustained because of Joe Biden and his policies." DeSantis told BBC.
In February, the doctors declared Biden healthy and fit for duty after a physical examination.
It is not the first incident where the U.S President has tripped. On May 19, Biden lost footing slightly on steps of Itsukushima shrine in Japan during a G7 visit.
In June 2022, he also fell off as he was dismounting his bicycle after getting his foot caught following a beach ride with his wife but was not hurt.
Even so, Biden is not the first Commander-in-Chief to lose his footing publicly, in the glare of cameras. In 2012, former President Barack Obama also tripped while walking up the stairs at an event.
