Senator Elizabeth Warren experienced a fall on the Senate floor on the evening of July 30, 2025, during a vote, which led to immediate assistance from Republican colleagues, including Senator Ted Cruz of Texas.
The 76-year-old senator from Massachusetts was seen on live television cameras leaning back against a desk while voting on resolutions about military sales to Israel. After waving to someone off-camera and crossing her arms, she leaned on the desk, which shifted, causing her to lose balance and fall.
Several senators, including Cruz, immediately came to Warren’s aid, showcasing a rare moment of bipartisan cooperation. Senator Susan Collins of Maine was also quick to offer assistance as they helped Warren back to her feet.
Republican Senators Rand Paul of Kentucky and John Barrasso of Wyoming were seen approaching to provide help. Warren appeared uninjured and stood up without difficulty. She tapped Cruz’s hand in what seemed to be a gesture of reassurance before stabilizing herself against a sturdier table.
Other senators examined the desk, moving it to determine how it had shifted during the incident.
Warren voted in favor of both resolutions, joining 24 other Democrats and 2 Independents in support. However, the resolutions did not pass as all Republican senators opposed them.
The video of Warren’s fall quickly spread on social media, drawing significant attention. Conservative outlets, including Blaze Media, highlighted the footage, with some commentators suggesting it reflected Warren’s age and calling for her retirement.
Some conservative commentators used derogatory terms when discussing the incident, referencing a nickname previously used by former President Trump. Similar sentiments were echoed on social media platforms.
The fall was compared to previous incidents involving former President Joe Biden, who had similar occurrences during his presidency, including an incident at the U.S. Air Force Academy in 2023 and another while exiting Air Force One in Michigan in 2024.
Despite the attention, Warren continued her legislative work and participated in the evening’s voting agenda without issue. She has served in the Senate since January 2013 and was re-elected for a third term in 2024.
Warren also held the position of vice chair of the Senate Democratic caucus from 2017 to 2020. She ran for president in 2020 but withdrew from the race after Super Tuesday on March 5, 2020.
The Senate session continued, with Republican leadership advancing confirmation votes. Senate GOP Majority Leader John Thune aimed to meet White House expectations by completing Trump administration appointments before the August recess.
The bipartisan response to Warren’s fall contrasted with the typically partisan nature of Senate proceedings.
Sources described the incident as occurring in a charged atmosphere in the Senate, with late-night votes driven by Republican leadership to fulfill administrative priorities for staffing key federal positions.
