1. Gerald Ford’s Air Force One Slip (June 1975)
In June 1975, U.S. President Gerald Ford had a memorable slip while disembarking Air Force One in Vienna, Austria. The slip occurred as he descended the aircraft’s stairs to meet with Egyptian President Anwar Sadat. This moment has since been etched in the annals of political bloopers.
2. Fidel Castro’s Stage Fall (October 2004)
Cuban leader Fidel Castro faced a dramatic fall from a stage in Santa Clara, Cuba, in October 2004. The fall resulted in Castro breaking his knee and arm. This incident was particularly significant as it harked back to another fall two years earlier, underscoring the challenges the aging leader faced.
3. Robert Mugabe’s Airport Tumble (February 2015)
Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe, then 90 years old, experienced a fall as he descended a staircase at Harare International Airport. This incident took place shortly after Mugabe had returned from Ethiopia, where he had assumed the chairmanship of the African Union. The sight of Mugabe stumbling became symbolic of his long and often controversial reign.
4. Barack Obama’s Near Fall (March 2015)
Former U.S. President Barack Obama narrowly avoided a fall while deplaning Air Force One in March 2015. Returning from a golfing trip in Florida, Obama lost his footing but quickly recovered, maintaining his characteristic composure as he continued across the tarmac.
5. Mike Pence’s Air Force Two Slip (June 2020)
In June 2020, Vice President Mike Pence had his own awkward moment akin to those of his predecessors. Pence was seen tripping while running up the steps of Air Force Two, an incident reminiscent of similar missteps by other American leaders.
6. Joe Biden’s Triple Trip (March 2021)
President Joe Biden’s ascent up the steps of Air Force One to Atlanta in March 2021 was marked by a series of stumbles. Biden tripped three times while boarding the aircraft, an event that quickly drew widespread media attention and public scrutiny.
7. Tommy Tuberville’s Plane Stairs Slip (October 2023)
Senator Tommy Tuberville, a vocal critic of President Biden’s public falls, found himself in a similar situation in October 2023. Tuberville was seen losing his footing after three steps while boarding a plane, subsequently sliding down the remaining steps. The irony of this incident did not go unnoticed, drawing significant attention online.
8. Hillary Clinton’s Yemen Trip (2011)
Then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had a notable slip in 2011 while boarding a plane to Yemen. Clinton fell to her knees at the doorway of the plane but was quickly helped by an aide, preventing further embarrassment.
