Age Concerns Loom Over Biden-Trump Debate
For Joe Biden and Donald Trump, the two oldest candidates ever to vie for the US presidency, the issue of age is unavoidable. On Thursday, the sitting Democratic president, 81, and his Republican predecessor, 78, will square off in Atlanta, Georgia, for the first of two debates leading up to the November election. This event offers Americans a unique opportunity to directly compare the physical and mental capabilities of both men.
Over the course of 90 minutes, under the scrutiny of high-definition cameras, President Biden and former President Trump—nearly neck-and-neck in national polls—will debate topics such as the economy, foreign policy, immigration, and the future of democracy. Any mistake, stumble, or verbal error could exacerbate concerns about their advanced age and potentially alter the dynamics of an already close race as voters start paying closer attention.
Delivering a strong performance is crucial for Biden, who faces more intense scrutiny due to his age. Democratic strategist Jim Messina, who managed Barack Obama’s 2012 campaign, emphasized that the debate should focus on policy and character rather than age. “There’s no hiding Biden’s 81 years, and Trump is almost as old. It’s about their policies and characters,” Messina stated. “Thursday night needs to highlight their differences.”
Polling indicates voters are more concerned about Biden’s age than Trump’s. A March New York Times/Siena College poll found that 73% of registered voters felt Biden was “too old to be an effective president,” a sentiment shared across all age groups, including those 65 and older. In contrast, only 42% of voters expressed the same concern about Trump, despite the small age gap.
Larry Sabato, director of the University of Virginia Center for Politics, noted, “It should be about both of them, but Biden looks his age.” Though Biden was declared “fit for duty” by a White House physician earlier this year, public concerns about his age persist. Signs of aging, such as a softer voice, occasional memory lapses, and a “stiffened gait” partly attributed to arthritis, have become more apparent.
Biden’s public appearances are closely monitored, often attracting more scrutiny than those of Trump. Videos of routine actions like boarding Air Force One or crossing a stage are frequently analyzed. For instance, Biden’s fall at the Air Force Academy graduation in June 2023, where he tripped on a sandbag, made national headlines. His team quickly responded, emphasizing that he continued normally afterward.
Despite some Democrats expressing concerns about Biden’s age, they rallied around him in February when a Justice Department report on his handling of classified documents described him as an “elderly man with a poor memory.” However, Biden’s energetic delivery during his annual State of the Union address later garnered praise.
Ro Khanna, a Biden campaign surrogate, told NBC News, “The president always delivers in big moments. He did in the State of the Union. People will see the difference.” The Biden campaign hopes Thursday’s debate will showcase the president’s endurance and contrast his policies and temperament with Trump’s.
Trump has acknowledged that Biden could perform well, telling the All-In podcast that he expects Biden to be a “worthy debater.” Nevertheless, Trump has also spread unsubstantiated claims that Biden might use performance-enhancing drugs, which the Biden campaign has dismissed as “desperate lies.”
While Trump faces less scrutiny regarding his age, questions about his own fitness for office persist. During a January rally, Trump mistakenly confused his primary rival Nikki Haley with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Haley, Trump’s former UN ambassador, had called for mental competency tests for politicians over 75 during her presidential run. Trump’s personal physician later attested to his “exceptional” cognitive exams.
At a Pennsylvania rally, Trump criticized the media’s double standards, claiming, “If I say one word slightly out, they say, ‘He’s cognitively impaired.’ Whereas Biden can run into walls, fall off the stage, and still be fine.”
Both campaigns have used social media to shape narratives, often sharing clips of their opponents’ gaffes. Republicans have circulated edited videos to question Biden’s competence, while the Biden campaign has shared clips suggesting Trump’s mental lapses.
Young voters, a crucial demographic for Democrats, remain particularly concerned about Biden’s age. Amanda Litman, a Democratic strategist, said the debate could be revealing for younger voters who feel disengaged from an older political leadership. Brandt Williams, a 23-year-old Biden supporter, acknowledged the age issue but still plans to vote for Biden due to his policies.
In Georgia, where the debate takes place, Democrats sense apathy among young voters, with Biden’s age being a significant factor. Titus Nichols, a 39-year-old Democratic attorney, observed, “Biden is mature and steady, but that’s not what younger voters are looking for.”
As millions tune in on Thursday, they will not only assess the candidates’ policies but also judge their stamina. For Biden, demonstrating vigor is essential to address age concerns, according to Litman. “He needs to show competency, confidence, and a bit of fight,” she said.
