For Joe Biden and Donald Trump, the two oldest candidates ever to seek the US presidency, age is an unavoidable election issue.
On Thursday, the current Democratic president, 81, and his Republican predecessor, 78, will meet in Atlanta, Georgia, for the first of two debates before November’s vote, offering Americans a rare, split-screen comparison of the two men’s physical and mental capabilities.
For 90 minutes, under the scrutiny of high-definition cameras, President Biden and former President Trump — who are nearly tied in national opinion polls — will clash on issues ranging from the economy and foreign wars to immigration and the future of democracy.
Any slip-up, stumble, or verbal mistake could reinforce concerns about their advanced age, potentially reshaping an already tight presidential race as voters start to pay closer attention.
However, delivering a strong performance may be more critical for Mr. Biden, the nation’s oldest president, who has faced persistent questions about his stamina and mental fitness since taking office.
“There’s no hiding the fact that Biden’s 81, there’s no hiding the fact that Trump’s basically the same age,” said Jim Messina, a Democratic strategist who managed Barack Obama’s 2012 presidential campaign. “It’s not a contest of age, it’s a contest of policy and character.”
“Part of what needs to happen on Thursday night is just to begin the conversation about the differences between them,” Mr Messina said.
Polling indicates that voters are significantly more worried about Mr. Biden’s age than his opponent’s.
If Trump were to win, he would surpass Mr. Biden as the oldest president before the end of his term. A New York Times/Siena College poll from March revealed that 73% of registered voters believe Mr. Biden is “just too old to be an effective president.”
Concerns about the president’s fitness for office were shared across all age groups, including those 65 and older.
In contrast, only 42% of registered voters expressed similar concerns about Trump, despite the relatively small age difference of three and a half years.
“It ought to be about both of them, but Biden looks his age,” said Larry Sabato, the director of the University of Virginia Center for Politics.
Earlier this year, a White House physician declared Mr. Biden “fit for duty,” yet concerns about his age have persisted since he took office. Signs of aging, such as a softer speaking voice, occasional memory lapses, and a “stiffened gait” partly attributed to arthritis, have become more noticeable.
READ ALSO: Trump Pledges Automatic Green Cards For Foreign Graduates
Mr. Biden is constantly under public scrutiny, enduring more observation than his challenger, Mr. Sabato noted.
Videos of routine actions—walking up and down Air Force One’s stairs or crossing a stage—are closely watched online and by conservative media.
When Mr. Biden tripped at an Air Force Academy graduation in June 2023, it made national news. After being helped up, he resumed walking normally.
His team explained he had tripped on a sandbag, and Mr. Biden humorously told reporters, “I got sandbagged!” Despite some Democrats expressing concerns about his age, they rallied around him in February when the Justice Department’s special counsel Robert Hur investigated his handling of classified documents.
The report did not recommend prosecution but described the president as an “elderly man with a poor memory,” making headlines.
However, Mr. Biden received high marks for an energetically delivered State of the Union address weeks later. Congressman Ro Khanna, a Biden campaign surrogate, stated, “The president always delivers in big moments,” and expressed confidence in Biden’s ability to demonstrate his governance endurance in the upcoming debate, contrasting sharply with Trump on policy and temperament.
Ahead of the debate, Donald Trump suggested his opponent might exceed expectations, saying on the All-In podcast, “I don’t want to underestimate him.”
Trump has also spread unsubstantiated claims that Biden will take performance-enhancing drugs, which the Biden campaign has dismissed as “desperate lies.” While Trump faces less scrutiny about his age, questions about his own fitness for office have arisen.
At a January rally, Trump confused his primary rival, Nikki Haley, with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. He incorrectly claimed Haley was responsible for security during the January 6 attack on Congress. Haley, Trump’s former UN ambassador, had called for mental competency tests for politicians over 75.
Trump’s personal physician attested to his “exceptional” cognitive exams in November. At a Pennsylvania rally, Trump complained about the media’s double standard, saying, “If I say one word slightly out, they say, ‘He’s cognitively impaired,’” while Biden’s stumbles are overlooked. Both campaigns have utilized social media to shape the narrative, amplifying video snippets and memes.
Republicans have circulated edited videos questioning Biden’s mental competence, such as a clip from the G7 summit showing Biden appearing to wander off, which unedited footage revealed was him greeting paratroopers.
Another clip from a Los Angeles fundraiser showed Obama reaching for Biden’s arm, which Republicans claimed indicated Biden needed help, though longer footage showed him smiling and interacting with the crowd.
The Biden campaign has responded by sharing clips of Trump appearing disoriented, such as walking off stage prematurely.
Despite easily disproved videos, concerns about Biden’s age remain a significant vulnerability, particularly among younger voters.
Democratic strategist Amanda Litman noted this could reflect why younger voters feel disengaged, as they don’t see themselves in leadership. Brandt Williams, a 23-year-old Biden supporter, expressed a desire for younger representation, though he praised Biden’s foreign policy and economic policies.
In Georgia, where the first debate will take place, some Democrats sense apathy among young voters, with age being a significant issue.
Titus Nichols, a 39-year-old attorney, remarked that while Biden is seen as mature and steady, that’s not what many people seek.
Millions will tune into the debate to assess the candidates’ ideas and stamina. According to Litman, Biden must demonstrate competency, confidence, and a fighting spirit to quell concerns about his age.
(BBC)
Follow the Parallel Facts channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaCQSAoHgZWiDjR3Kn2E
