Biden Stumbles As He Boards Air Force One
UNITED States ( US) President, Joe Biden, stumbled twice as he scaled the stairs to ‘ Air Force One’ yesterday at Joint Base Andrews.
The President was briskly climbing the stairs to the presidential jet before appearing to trip, attempting to gather himself, then tripping again.
A reporter in the pool following Biden reported that it was a windy day at Andrews.
The White House said Biden “is doing 100 per cent fine” after his fall.
From one camera angle, Biden’s entire torso went out of view when he stumbled the second time, though his hand can be seen still holding onto the railing of the jet stairs. He then got up and made it the rest of the way up the jet stairs.
Another video angle shows that he was down on his knee for a moment, before getting up and pausing briefly with one hand on the railing and the other rubbing his knee.
White House Communications Director, Kate Bedingfield, elaborating on Biden’s condition, said: “I know folks have seen that President Biden slipped on his way up the stairs to AF1, but I’m happy to report that he is just fine and did not even require any attention from the medical team who travels with him.
“Nothing more than a misstep on the stairs.” The US leader in December last year fractured his foot while chasing his dog. Top American leaders have a history of struggling with the stairs used to board the aircraft meant to carry them around the world and keep them safe from attack.
Former Vice President Mike Pence, last year, stumbled while boarding ‘ Air Force 2.’ And Biden’s previous boss, former President Barack Obama, nearly fell down Air Force One’s stairs while disembarking the aircraft in 2015.
Former President Gerald Ford, on a previous version of Air Force One, fell nearly headfirst down the stairs of Air Force One in 1975. Former President Donald Trump, within days of Pence’s near fall on Air Force Two, appeared to be close to falling down a ramp at West Point Military Academy after speaking at a commencement speech for graduates.