Biden stumbles up Air Force One stairs again leaving Poland

Watch your step, Joe!

President Biden once again had issues keeping his balance Wednesday as he tripped up the steps of Air Force One on his way home from Poland.

Biden, 80, fell forward about halfway up the stairs to the plane as he attempted to board at Warsaw Chopin Airport. The president soon stood back up and continued to the door, giving a quick wave before entering the plane’s cabin.


JOE BIDEN
President Biden departs Poland after marking first anniversary of the Ukraine invasion.
Reuters

JOE BIDEN
This is not the first time the president has tripped going up stairs.
Reuters

This is at least the third time the president has taken a fall while trying to board Air Force One. In March 2021, Biden stumbled twice before hitting the deck while trying to depart for Georgia. At the time, then-White House deputy press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre blamed an ill-timed gust of wind for the presidential pratfall.

In May of last year, Biden appeared to briefly lose his balance as he walked up the Air Force One steps at Andrews Air Force Base en route to Illinois. On that occasion, the commander-in-chief caught himself in time to prevent a tumble and gripped the handrail tightly with his right hand as he walked to the plane. 

The following month, the president staggered again while mounting the steps before flying to Los Angeles to attend the Summit of the Americas — and record an interview with “Jimmy Kimmel Live.”


JOE BIDEN
The president gave a quick wave after falling.
Reuters

Biden was due back in Washington Wednesday night after a three-day visit to eastern Europe to mark the anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Europe, highlighted by Monday’s surprise visit to Kyiv.

As the oldest-ever president, Biden’s stumbles have been used by Republicans as evidence that he is neither physically nor mentally fit for the office. After Biden underwent a physical exam last week, White House doctor Kevin O’Connnor noted in a five-page report that the president has a stiff gait due to “significant spinal arthritis, mild post-fracture foot arthritis and a mild sensory peripheral neuropathy of the feet.”

O’Connor, who was not made available for questions from the media, made no assessment in his report of the president’s cognitive condition, which several Republicans in Congress have requested in recent months.