As a Trump vs Biden rematch looms, the US prepares for a second term with an octogenarian in the Oval Office.
Regardless of the outcome of the 2024 election, the United States will be led by an elderly man. Joe Biden, now 81, holds the distinction of having been sworn in as the oldest person to ever serve as president. Should he win a second term, he would be the first octogenarian to do so. On the other hand, if 77-year-old Donald Trump wins and serves even half of his second term, he will become the second oldest person to occupy the Oval Office.
Yet, it is primarily Biden’s age that captures the media’s attention. A recent investigation into claims that Biden mishandled classified documents ultimately cleared him of any wrongdoing. Unlike Trump, who is also accused of mishandling classified materials and faces charges of obstruction for allegedly concealing evidence, Biden fully cooperated with the inquiry. However, the Republican-appointed special counsel referred to Biden as a “well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory,” a comment that sparked criticism.
In response, Biden, visibly frustrated, muddled the names of the presidents of Mexico and Egypt during a press conference on February 9, further fueling the narrative about his age. This slip-up reignited concerns that his advanced age could be a liability in the 2024 election. Many critics argue that an 81-year-old president may not have the energy or cognitive sharpness to carry out the demanding responsibilities of the office, especially with the challenges facing the United States on both the domestic and international fronts.
While Biden’s age is the most prominent concern, Trump’s age has also become a factor in the race. At 77, he would be the second-oldest president in history if he wins and serves a second term. Some have raised doubts about his ability to endure another four years in office, given his previous tenure and his own bouts with health issues. Despite these concerns, Trump’s supporters have largely dismissed his age as irrelevant, arguing that his experience and decisiveness outweigh the potential drawbacks of his advanced years.
To many Democrats, the focus on Biden’s age feels eerily reminiscent of the “but her emails” debacle in 2016, when just days before the election, then-FBI Director James Comey announced the reopening of the investigation into Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server. Although the FBI eventually found no criminal wrongdoing, the announcement led to a media firestorm and was widely seen as contributing to Clinton’s eventual loss to Trump. The fear among Biden’s supporters is that similar media attention on Biden’s age could distract from more important issues in the 2024 race.
Biden’s supporters argue that his experience and steady leadership make him the best candidate for the job, regardless of his age. They point to his accomplishments, such as passing significant infrastructure and social spending packages, as well as his handling of foreign policy challenges like the war in Ukraine. They also note that Biden has maintained a high approval rating among Democratic voters, particularly in key battleground states.
However, the increasing focus on Biden’s age and cognitive abilities, coupled with the possibility of a rematch against Trump, raises critical questions about the future of US leadership. As the 2024 election draws closer, the country will have to grapple with the question of whether it’s time to turn the page on the current generation of leaders or continue to entrust the future to those whose years in power are now numbered. The outcome may ultimately hinge on how voters view the qualities that matter most in their next president: experience, vision, or the ability to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world.
