US President Joe Biden reportedly tripped over a sandbag after presenting the final diploma during graduation at the US Air Force Academy in Colorado. However, he quickly rose to his feet and returned to his seat, seemingly unharmed.
A video of the incident went viral on social media and shows Biden walking unaided and later smiling and running to his vehicle. The White House assured that the president was fine after the fall.
During his commencement address to the academy’s graduates, President Biden stumbled as he ran off the stage. After spending more than 90 minutes congratulating the cadets and handing out certificates, he headed for his seat but lost his balance and fell to the floor. The President landed on his right side, but quickly got up with his right hand. Secret Service personnel and a flight academy administrator rushed to his aid and held his hands as he regained his feet.
Biden indicated that something was in his way and pointed to where he fell. Videos showed sandbags placed near the platform, presumably as a safety precaution.
Despite the stumble, the president managed to get back to his seat unaided and appeared to be in good spirits after the ceremony.
“He’s fine. There was a sandbag on stage when he was shaking his hand,” communications director Ben LaBolt tweeted.
The president remained silent when asked about the incident as he left Colorado an hour after the crash.
