WASHINGTON: In an interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press,” former US President Donald Trump offered an unexpected perspective on President Joe Biden’s age, stating that while he doesn’t consider Biden “too old” for a second term, he believes Biden is “incompetent.” This statement comes as the United States grapples with the question of the advancing age of its political leaders, particularly in the context of the 2024 elections.
The age of both Joe Biden and Donald Trump has become a subject of public debate, even though the difference in their ages is relatively small. President Biden would be approaching 82 years old at the end of a potential second term, while Trump himself would be 78. Recent polls indicate that Americans are more concerned about Biden’s age, with approximately three in four expressing doubts about his ability to serve a second term.
Former President Trump, who held office as the second-oldest president ever (only Ronald Reagan was older at the end of his term at 77), faces a unique challenge in portraying Biden as unfit for the job due to his age. Trump has previously labeled Biden as “sleepy,” raising questions about his vitality and stamina.
Trump Says Age Not the Issue for Leaders
However, Trump appears to be taking a different approach this time, emphasizing that age itself is not the issue. He stated that some of the world’s most prominent leaders have been in their 80s, and age should not be the primary concern. Instead, he highlighted what he sees as President Biden’s incompetence as the central problem.
While President Biden has faced criticism for occasional verbal stumbles, Democrats argue that he remains physically active, sober, and has demonstrated competency in overseeing significant legislative achievements, including the passage of major bills on infrastructure, gun safety, and social spending. Biden has also maintained an active role on the global stage.
During a recent trip to Vietnam, a country led by a 79-year-old Communist leader, Biden’s relative youth was playfully acknowledged by the Vietnamese leader.
Trump, on the other hand, has received generally positive health assessments during annual physicals, although he has been categorized as overweight and is not known for engaging in exercise other than golf. Like Biden, he abstains from alcohol.
In the interview, Trump expressed confidence in his genetic predisposition for a long life. He also referred to a cognitive test he took during the 2020 presidential campaign, which garnered attention for his recitation of the words “Person, woman, man, camera, TV” in sequence. While this test was met with ridicule by political opponents, Trump asserted that he had aced it and answered all the questions correctly.
