Biden and Trump dismiss age concerns during presidential debate

Jeremy Yurow, USA TODAY

June 28, 2024 at 4:47 p.m.·1 min read

President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump clashed Thursday night in the first presidential debate of the 2024 campaign, with the question of age casting a significant shadow over both candidates.

Biden is the oldest American president at 81, having assumed office at age 78. Trump, now 78, would be the second-oldest president if reelected, matching Biden’s age at his inauguration.

When asked about concerns regarding his capability to serve, Biden highlighted his economic achievements. “First of all, I spent half my career being criticized for being the youngest person in politics, and now I’m the oldest,” Biden remarked. He pointed out that Trump is only three years younger, “but a lot less competent.” Biden urged voters to “just look at the record, what I’ve done.”

Trump countered by emphasizing his physical and cognitive fitness, boasting about his cognitive tests and golf club championships. “You have to be quite smart, and you have to be able to hit the ball a long way,” Trump stated.

Trump also referenced the Montreal Cognitive Assessment he took in 2018, which aimed to detect early signs of cognitive impairment. “He took none,” Trump said of Biden. I’d like to see him take one, just one, a really easy one. Like, go through the first five questions; he couldn’t do it.”

Despite the age-related jabs, both candidates sought to shift the focus to their accomplishments and capabilities, defending their readiness to lead the nation.

Rewatch the ‘CNN Presidential Debate’ on CNN or simulcast on USA TODAY on YouTube.com.

Jeremy Yurow is a politics reporting fellow based in Hawaii for the USA TODAY Network. You can reach him at JYurow@gannett.com or on X, formerly Twitter @JeremyYurow

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: At debate, Biden and Trump tackle age question head on

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