Former US President Donald Trump dismissed reports that President Joe Biden was too old to vie again in the 2024 elections.
In an interview, Trump insisted that he had no issue with Biden’s age. He however accused Biden of being incompetent.
“I don’t think Biden is too old, but I think he is incompetent. And that’s a bigger problem,” Trump stated.
He also defended his age noting that some of the great leaders are over 80. He thus shrugged off sentiments that old age would affect his leadership style if elected.
However the 77-year-old quickly clarified that he was “not anywhere very near 80, by the way.”
Biden, who would be 82 at the start of his next term if reelected, also shrugged off concerns about his age in recent months. When asked why an 82-year-old would be the best fit for a president, Biden told MSNBC in May that he had “acquired a hell of a lot of wisdom.”
“I’m more experienced than anybody (who’s) ever run for the office,” he stated, adding that he thinks he’s proven himself to be effective.
Biden was compelled to defend his age after a recent poll by CNN showed that some Americans were concerned about his age and his ability to rule.
His physical capabilities were also questioned by some respondents arguing that both Trump and Biden should pave the way for young leaders.
However, both have renewed the rivalry ahead of 2024 polls with Trump seeking to make a comeback to US politics despite facing a number of legal battles.
With the battle stage set, Trump publicly called for House Republicans to impeach his successor.
The former president also suggested in an interview this week that the push for Biden to be impeached may partly be a tit-for-tat effort in response to Trump’s impeachment.
“I think had they not done it to me, and I’m very popular, they like me and I like them, the Republican Party, perhaps you wouldn’t have it being done to them,” Trump told Megyn Kelly on her SiriusXM show.
“And this is going to happen with indictments, too. … And I think you’re going to see that as time goes by, you’re going to see Republicans when they’re in power, doing it,” he added. “And it’s a shame when that happens. I’m not in favor of that, but that’s what’s going to happen because that’s human nature.”
