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President Biden trips and falls while handing out diplomas at Air Force Academy graduation

President Joe Biden is helped up after falling during the graduation ceremony at the United States Air Force Academy, just north of Colorado Springs in El Paso County, Colorado, on June 1, 2023.

WASHINGTON − President Joe Biden took a dramatic spill while passing out diplomas after giving the commencement address at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Gasps from the crowd followed Biden’s fall, which came as he handed out the last diploma, forcing the president to come down on his knees.

Biden, who was helped to his feet by Air Force officials, appeared to trip on a black sandbag that was on the stage.

Biden, 80, the oldest president in U.S. history, appeared to be OK and continued to stand as the ceremony concluded a few minutes later.

“He’s fine,” Ben LaBolt, White House communications director, said in a tweet. “There was a sandbag on stage while he was shaking hands.”

President Joe Biden is helped up after falling during the graduation ceremony at the United States Air Force Academy, just north of Colorado Springs in El Paso County, Colorado, on June 1, 2023.President Joe Biden is helped up after falling during the graduation ceremony at the United States Air Force Academy, just north of Colorado Springs in El Paso County, Colorado, on June 1, 2023.

Reach Joey Garrison on Twitter @joeygarrison.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: President Biden falls handing out diplomas at Air Force Academy

Pezou–President Biden trips and falls while handing out diplomas at Air Force Academy graduation