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By Jon Jackson
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President Joe Biden fell onstage Thursday while handing out diplomas during the U.S. Air Force Academy's graduation ceremony in Colorado.
Biden, 80, appeared fine after the tumble, and he was able to walk away unassisted after being helped to his feet. The president pointed to what appeared to be a sandbag on the stage, which could have caused him to trip.
Biden also delivered the academy's commencement speech, which was held at Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs. During his remarks, he praised the graduates for choosing "service over self."
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"Graduates, you made a noble choice to lead a life of service," Biden said. "Now you also shoulder a great privilege and a mighty responsibility. Leadership, yeah leadership."
He continued, "In the years ahead, your airmen and guardians are going to look to you for guidance and inspiration because the world is going to get more confusing. They'll put their trust in you. You, in turn, must strive to always be worthy of their confidence."
Newsweek reached out to the White House via email for comment about the incident.
Video of Biden's fall began to spread around Twitter on Thursday. Jake Schneider of RNC Research, which is managed by the Republican National Committee, was among those who posted a clip of the tumble.
During his speech, the commander in chief also touched on political matters, including supporting Ukraine in its war with Russia, U.S. competition with China and the rise of new technologies like artificial intelligence and 3D printing.
Biden has been captured on video falling before, and these occasions resulted in some conservatives mocking the president while others questioned his health.
One of the more high-profile falls occurred in March 2021 when Biden was walking on the stairs of Air Force One. The incident was later blamed on windy conditions by a White House representative.
Last summer, Biden tumbled off his bicycle near his home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. The White House later said in a statement that the president was fine and did not need medical attention after the bike fall.
After the president's latest fall, Twitter was soon full of comments.
"He can't blame this one on a slippery ramp like they did Trump!" one person wrote, referring to a 2020 incident at West Point when Trump was recorded walking unsteadily off a stage.
Another person tweeted, "I would feel sorry for him if he wasn't such a mean spirited and cocky human being."
But not everyone used the moment to poke fun at the president. One Twitter user wrote, "Hope our President is ok. He seems fine and healthy."
Update, 06/01/23, 4:43 p.m. ET: This story has been updated to include more background and information.
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