HEAD JOE-VER HEELS
Joe Biden ‘trips and falls’ during Air Force Academy graduation ceremony as staff rush to help President up
PRESIDENT Joe Biden has bumped his head on Marine One right after suffering a hard fall at the Air Force Academy graduation.
Biden, 80, was on hand to deliver remarks at Thursday's graduation ceremony, which had over 900 cadets in attendance.
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Biden appeared to rub his head after bumping it on the helicopter's doorframe while exiting the aircraft, according to a White House .
He smiled it off while walking toward reporters then said: "I got sandbagged," referencing his on-stage tumble hours earlier that sparked national headlines.
The president delivered remarks and shook graduating cadets' hands earlier on Thursday at Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
At one point, Biden turned to walk away, took a step forward, and then dramatically crumpled to the ground near the podium.
Secret Service agents and an Air Force officer rushed to his side to assist him as the president tried to get up.
He got up on one knee before three others helped him get back to his feet.
Biden eventually was able to walk away on his own.
He turned around and pointed at the floor as if to indicate that sandbags on stage were the reason for the fall before continuing to walk off.
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“Graduates, you made a noble choice to lead a life of service,” Biden said during his speech.
“Now you also shoulder a great privilege and a mighty responsibility."
“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,” he added.
“They’ll put their trust in you. You, in turn, must strive to always be worthy of their confidence.”
Biden appeared "spry" and was "fine" after the events on Thursday, his team said.
"There was a sandbag on stage while he was shaking hands," White House Communications Director Ben LaBolt said.
The president has a history of falling up the stairs of Air Force One.
Most recently, Biden was caught on camera losing his footing while boarding Air Force One in March before regaining his balance and entering the plane's cabin.
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Weeks earlier, he fell forward about halfway up the stairs to the plane while departing Poland after a surprise trip overseas.
Biden regained his balance as he stood back up, waved at the crowd and continued to the door.
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