United States President Joe Biden tripped and fell during a graduation ceremony at the Air Force academy on Thursday.
The 80-year-old President was quickly helped up by three people, and walked back to his seat unassisted following the incident in Colorado.
As the leader was helped up, he pointed behind him, seeming to indicate what he tripped over.
White House communications director Ben LaBolt said Mr. Biden was fine.
“There was a sandbag on stage while he was shaking hands,” he said on Twitter.
Mr. Biden, who stood for much of the hours-long ceremony to shake hands with graduates, appeared to trip over something and fell to his knees towards the end as he handed out the last diploma.
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He was helped up by an Air Force officer as well as two members of his US Secret Service detail. Onlookers, including some members of the official delegation on stage, looked over in concern before the leader returned to his seat.
At the presentation, he gave salutes to the blue-uniformed graduates.
In his address in Colorado Springs to more than 900 cadets, the US commander-in-chief warned graduates they will enter service in an increasingly unstable world, citing challenges from Russia and China.
Mr. Biden, who is currently running for re-election in 2024, underwent a comprehensive physical examination in February, which determined that he is in good health and fully capable of fulfilling his duties, per the White House.
At the age of 80, Mr. Biden is the oldest-ever US President. After announcing that he will run for the presidency in the 2024 elections, he addressed concerns about his age, stating that his age doesn’t bother him and he feels good.
Mr. Biden mentioned that he had considered his age before deciding to run for re-election and pointed out that his polling data shows a favourable rating, according to ABC News.
“I can’t even say I guess how old I am, I can’t even say the number. It doesn’t— it doesn’t register with me,” Mr Biden said. “I took a hard look at it before I decided to run. And I feel good.”
