President Joe Biden tripped as he walked down the stairs of the Itsukushima Shrine on Friday in his rush to greet Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. The president was running late - all the other G7 leaders had arrived on Miyajima Island and were waiting on him to begin the tour of the holy site - when he stumbled and caught himself before he fell. He and Kishida continued on as if the slip didn't happen, joining the rest of the heads of state to see the iconic 'floating' torii gate. The evening on the famous island, known for its wild deer, capped the end of a long first day of the summit.

Biden takes a trip: President, 80, STUMBLES while walking down steps of shrine as G7 leaders wait on him and then leaves their group dinner early

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President Joe Biden tripped as he walked down the stairs of the Itsukushima Shrine on Friday in his rush to greet Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. The president was running late - all the other G7 leaders had arrived on Miyajima Island and were waiting on him to begin the tour of the holy site - when he stumbled and caught himself before he fell. He and Kishida continued on as if the slip didn't happen, joining the rest of the heads of state to see the iconic 'floating' torii gate. The evening on the famous island, known for its wild deer, capped the end of a long first day of the summit.

President Joe Biden tripped as he walked down the stairs of the Itsukushima Shrine on Friday in his rush to greet Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. The president was running late – all the other G7 leaders had arrived on Miyajima Island and were waiting on him to begin the tour of the holy site – when he stumbled and caught himself before he fell. He and Kishida continued on as if the slip didn’t happen, joining the rest of the heads of state to see the iconic ‘floating’ torii gate. The evening on the famous island, known for its wild deer, capped the end of a long first day of the summit.

After the tour, the world leaders - the heads of the United States, Japan, Canada, Italy, France, German, the United Kingdom and European Union - had a private dinner on the island. But Biden, 80, left that dinner early. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the 'plan' was for the president to receive an update from his debt ceiling negotiation team back in Washington where it is now morning. Biden who is the oldest U.S. president, has faced and dismissed questions about his age, particularly as he campaigns for a second term in the White House. His doctor has declared him healthy and fit to serve but has conceded the president's gait is 'stiff.' Biden has tripped before - twice boarding Air Force One: one in March 2023 and in March 2021.

After the tour, the world leaders – the heads of the United States, Japan, Canada, Italy, France, German, the United Kingdom and European Union – had a private dinner on the island. But Biden, 80, left that dinner early. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the ‘plan’ was for the president to receive an update from his debt ceiling negotiation team back in Washington where it is now morning. Biden who is the oldest U.S. president, has faced and dismissed questions about his age, particularly as he campaigns for a second term in the White House. His doctor has declared him healthy and fit to serve but has conceded the president’s gait is ‘stiff.’ Biden has tripped before – twice boarding Air Force One: one in March 2023 and in March 2021.

Earlier in the day, Biden needed guidance when he fumbled for a spot during a photo op with Kishida and their wives. He could simply be suffering from jet lag. The president arrived in Hiroshima on Thursday, held separate meetings with U.S. troops and Kishida, and then headed to his hotel. He was up early for a zoom call with his team in Washington D.C. negotiating with Republicans on raising the country's debt limit. His team and top aides to House Speaker Kevin McCarthy are continuing to hold talks as the Treasury Department says the U.S. will default on its debt on June 1.

Earlier in the day, Biden needed guidance when he fumbled for a spot during a photo op with Kishida and their wives. He could simply be suffering from jet lag. The president arrived in Hiroshima on Thursday, held separate meetings with U.S. troops and Kishida, and then headed to his hotel. He was up early for a zoom call with his team in Washington D.C. negotiating with Republicans on raising the country’s debt limit. His team and top aides to House Speaker Kevin McCarthy are continuing to hold talks as the Treasury Department says the U.S. will default on its debt on June 1. 

Friday, the president had a full schedule, which included a visit to the Peace Memorial Park and several meetings at the G7 summit. He also has a full agenda: convincing allies in the Indo-Pacific of U.S. support in the face of China's economic, political and military power; shoring up even more support for Ukraine; and convincing allies America is a reliable partner amid fears the country may default on its debt. Biden has downplayed questions about his age, telling reporters last month: 'I can't even say the number, it doesn't register with me.'

Friday, the president had a full schedule, which included a visit to the Peace Memorial Park and several meetings at the G7 summit. He also has a full agenda: convincing allies in the Indo-Pacific of U.S. support in the face of China’s economic, political and military power; shoring up even more support for Ukraine; and convincing allies America is a reliable partner amid fears the country may default on its debt. Biden has downplayed questions about his age, telling reporters last month: ‘I can’t even say the number, it doesn’t register with me.’ 

Friday began with Kishida stepping in to direct Joe and Jill Biden as the first couple posed with him and his wife Yuko during the first day of the G7 summit in Hiroshima. The Bidens were joining other G7 leaders and their spouses for a tour of Hiroshima's Peace Park and Memorial Museum. They arrived last and walked down a red carpet where there were four markings on the floor. The foursome shuffled around each other as they tried to determine the lineup. 'We'll figure it out,' Jill Biden said laughing, as the prime minister helped direct them to their marks on the floor.

Friday began with Kishida stepping in to direct Joe and Jill Biden as the first couple posed with him and his wife Yuko during the first day of the G7 summit in Hiroshima. The Bidens were joining other G7 leaders and their spouses for a tour of Hiroshima’s Peace Park and Memorial Museum. They arrived last and walked down a red carpet where there were four markings on the floor. The foursome shuffled around each other as they tried to determine the lineup. ‘We’ll figure it out,’ Jill Biden said laughing, as the prime minister helped direct them to their marks on the floor. 

The leaders then toured the museum at the Peace Memorial, which is dedicated to the thousands who died in the atomic bombing of Hiroshima during World War II. Behind them, the iconic A-Bomb Dome behind them. While there, Biden met with Ms. Keiko Ogura, a hibakusha - or an atomic bomb survivor. She was eight years old on August 6, 1945. They also participated in a wreath laying with each leader lining up before the Cenotaph for Atomic Bomb Victims with a wreath in front of them. In unison, they each stepped forward to place their wreath. The G7 leaders - which include the heads of the United States, the European Union, Canada, United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, France and Japan - then took a moment to stand at their memorial to pay their respects. Many bowed their heads. Kishida, who is from Hiroshima, was seen speaking to them and pointing out parts of the park.

The leaders then toured the museum at the Peace Memorial, which is dedicated to the thousands who died in the atomic bombing of Hiroshima during World War II. Behind them, the iconic A-Bomb Dome behind them. While there, Biden met with Ms. Keiko Ogura, a hibakusha – or an atomic bomb survivor. She was eight years old on August 6, 1945. They also participated in a wreath laying with each leader lining up before the Cenotaph for Atomic Bomb Victims with a wreath in front of them. In unison, they each stepped forward to place their wreath. The G7 leaders – which include the heads of the United States, the European Union, Canada, United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, France and Japan – then took a moment to stand at their memorial to pay their respects. Many bowed their heads. Kishida, who is from Hiroshima, was seen speaking to them and pointing out parts of the park.

They also posed for a group photo in front of the memorial. Then they moved further down the park to participate in a tree-planting ceremony. Each leader was given a golden shovel and dropped one shovelful of dirt around the cherry tree, which was planted to mark their visit. 'Through their visit to the Peace Memorial Park, the G7 leaders deepened their understanding of the reality of the atomic bombings and joined their hearts in consoling the souls of lost lives,' Japan's foreign ministry said in a statement. 'The G7 leaders reiterated their position that threats by Russia of nuclear weapon use, let alone its use are inadmissible. We are convinced that this visit became an opportunity to confirm G7's commitment to the realization of a world without nuclear weapons,' the ministry said. The leaders spent the day holding meetings - and a group lunch - along with a session on the war in the Ukraine. Read the full story:

They also posed for a group photo in front of the memorial. Then they moved further down the park to participate in a tree-planting ceremony. Each leader was given a golden shovel and dropped one shovelful of dirt around the cherry tree, which was planted to mark their visit. ‘Through their visit to the Peace Memorial Park, the G7 leaders deepened their understanding of the reality of the atomic bombings and joined their hearts in consoling the souls of lost lives,’ Japan’s foreign ministry said in a statement. ‘The G7 leaders reiterated their position that threats by Russia of nuclear weapon use, let alone its use are inadmissible. We are convinced that this visit became an opportunity to confirm G7’s commitment to the realization of a world without nuclear weapons,’ the ministry said. The leaders spent the day holding meetings – and a group lunch – along with a session on the war in the Ukraine. Read the full story:

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