U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the debt ceiling at the White House on May 09, 2023 in Washington, DC. President Biden spoke following a meeting with Congressional lawmakers as they continue to negotiate raising the debt ceiling to avoid a government default. ANNA MONEYMAKER/BENZINGA
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On Friday, President Joe Biden joked about his old age and potentially needing a helmet for the Democratic National Committee reception later that evening, amid reports about his limited work hours.
Biden cracked the joke while presenting the commander-in-chief’s trophy to the Air Force Falcons football team at the White House, reports the New York Post.
“About 65 years ago, during the first remarks to the first class of the Air Force Academy, President Eisenhower — I wasn’t there, no matter what the press says,” Biden said.
After he was presented with a jersey and helmet, Biden joked, “Where I’m going tonight, I may need that helmet.”
Ever since the 80-year-old campaigned for and won the presidency, questions about his physical and mental fitness have been raised.
In February, the president’s doctor Kevin O’ Connor said in a memo that Biden was “fit for duty” and “vigorous.”
Still, according to a recent poll from NBC News, most Americans say they do not want Biden to run for re-election, citing his age as a major reason. Around 70 percent of adults said Biden should not run again.
Recent polls also revealed that Biden’s age is a matter of overwhelming concern for voters — one his Republican opponent will most likely weaponize in the upcoming elections. Nearly half of those surveyed by NBC News said Biden’s age is the reason why he should not run again.
Last week, Biden announced his bid for the 2024 presidential race, asserting that “this is not a time to be complacent.” He will be the oldest candidate and incumbent president at 81-years-old during a primary from either party and the general election. If re-elected, he will become the oldest president in history, but sworn in at 82-years-old. He was born on November 20, 1942.
Donald Trump is not getting any younger either. If he wins the GOP nomination to face Biden in the general election, he will be 78-years-old making him the oldest general election candidate in U.S. history to face an incumbent president and the second-oldest presidential candidate. He remains the second-oldest president elected at 70-years-old. He was born on June 14, 1946.
Trump had often mocked Biden for mental incapacity for being president including his age.
“There’s something wrong,” Trump said in the interview when asked if he thinks Biden will run in 2024. “I saw his answer today on television, it was a long answer about the eggs and this and that, look I don’t think he can.”
Biden was 77-years-old in the general election in 2020 when he won the election. He was 78-years-old at the time of his inauguration when being sworn into office.
The late former President Ronald Reagan was 69-years-old at the time he was elected. He is now the third-oldest president elected in the nation’s history.
Prior to Biden’s presidency, Sen. Bernie Sanders (Vt.-I) was the oldest Democratic candidate at 78-years-old in the primary, but never made it to the general election.
It’s more than likely a Trump-Biden rematch will occur in 2024 making it the oldest presidential race in history of the United States.
Produced in association with Benzinga.
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