Biden to become US’ oldest president at 78

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• President-elect Joe Biden is set to become the US’ oldest president at 78 years of age.
• President Donald Trump has regularly attacked Biden’s seniority during the election campaign.
• Biden repeatedly argued that he was still healthy and fit for the presidency.

As the US awaits its new commander-in-chief by January, Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, who just turned 78 on Friday, is poised to become the oldest president in US history. He also beat the record that belonged to Trump when the incumbent president was sworn into office in 2017 at 70.

In this year’s election, age has become a highly-contested topic as Trump frequently used Biden’s seniority to throw jabs against him. The polls showed that age was a factor in choosing a candidate, and for the incumbent president, it became a weapon to attack the former vice president.

Trump used narratives such as “Sleepy Joe” and even going as far as accusing Biden of having dementia, as the top Democrat would sometimes mix up with his words during a public address. 

“The same guy who thought that the 9/11 attack was a 7-Eleven attack. He’s talkin’ about dementia?” Biden said on 60 Minutes show last October. “All I can say to the American people is: Watch me … see what I’ve done … see what I’m gonna do. Look at me. Compare our physical and mental acuity. I’m happy to have that comparison.”

Biden has continuously debunked concerns over his age during his presidential conquest.

“I think it’s totally appropriate for people to look at my age,” Biden said last year. “Just like when I was 29 [and elected to the Senate], was I old enough? And now, am I fit enough? I’ll completely disclose everything about my health. I’m in good shape.”

Last December, Biden’s physician described him as “healthy” and “vigorous” while noting his past conditions like aneurysm in 1988 in a written three-page summary.

In September 2019, former president Jimmy Carter, 96, the oldest living president, said that he would back an age limit restriction for the presidency.

“I hope there’s an age limit. If I were just 80 years old, if I was 15 years younger, I don’t believe I could undertake the duties I experienced when I was president,” he said.

Citing Carter’s suggestion, The New York Times’ editorial board pressed Biden last December, saying: Are you too old to be running for president?”

“Watch me. Watch me. All this stuff about lack of energy — come get in the bus with me, 16 hours a day, 10 days in a row. Come see me,” Biden responded, adding that he regularly exercised every morning.

“I do three things: I bike, treadmill and I lift. … I’m not in bad shape.”

“I’m not going to die politically,” he continued.

Trump, 74, also displayed some signs of aging such as having difficulty holding a glass of water and walking over a ramp.

Source: People.com