Biden on his recent fall: 'I got sandbagged'

By 
 June 3, 2023

President Joe Biden says that he "got sandbagged." 

This, apparently, the 80-year-old Biden's explanation for why he recently fell at the U.S. Air Force Academy graduation ceremony that took place in Colorado Springs on Thursday.

If you missed the fall, here it is:

Biden's latest fall

This, of course, is far from Biden's only fall. Biden has fallen on numerous occasions, perhaps most memorably up the steps of Air Force One. But, in some ways, this latest fall might be the most embarrassing one.

The above video shows Biden on stage handing out diplomas. In fact, it picks up just after Biden delivers the final diploma. Biden, then, goes to turn to his left and then he takes a couple of steps before going down.

Biden was then helped up by three individuals, who appear to be members of the Secret Service and Air Force. It took about eight seconds to get Biden back on his feet.

Once standing, Biden points to something, presumably the thing that caused his fall. Then, Biden, with assistance, walks back to his seat.

The White House, Biden respond

White House communications director Ben LaBolt put out a Twitter message on Thursday purporting to explain what caused Biden's fall.

"He's fine," LaBolt said, adding, "There was a sandbag on stage while he was shaking hands."

Biden, for his part, joked, "I got sandbagged." Take a look:

Time for a walker?

Tennessee trauma surgeon Dr. Manny Sethi, on the other hand, does not seem to think that this is a joking matter. Regarding Biden's repeated falls, Sethi told Newsmax:

It's very concerning. As an orthopedic trauma surgeon, this is what I do … watching his repeated falls, seeing this one today, that was dangerously close to being really bad. I know this is awful, but he needs to get a walker.

There's more

Fox News provides an interesting piece of context regarding the above video, in which Biden says he "got sandbagged."

The outlet reports:

President Joe Biden appeared to bang his head on the helicopter door while exiting Marine One Thursday afternoon, just hours after falling on stage during the Air Force Academy commencement ceremony. Reporters waiting for Biden on the South Lawn of the White House watched as the president hit his forehead while stepping out of the helicopter. While Biden did not appear to suffer any immediate injuries, he rubbed his head where it was hit as he walked across the lawn.

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