United States’ most oldest president to date, Joe Biden conveyed on Monday that while he acknowledged the scrutiny surrounding his age, his candidacy for re-election stemmed from his concern that Donald Trump aimed to undermine American democracy.
Speaking at a fundraiser in a Broadway theatre in New York, the 80-year-old, who typically avoids discussing his age, addressed the issue, emphasizing that his wealth of experience has equipped him to tackle crises such as those involving Ukraine and Covid. “Many individuals seem preoccupied with my age,”
Biden stated. “I understand it, believe me, I’m acutely aware of it more than anyone.”
He added: “I’m running because democracy is at stake because in 2024 democracy is on the ballot once again. And let there be no question: Donald Trump and his MAGA Republicans are determined to destroy American democracy.”
The Democrat added that he would not “bow down” to “dictators” and accused Trump — whose slogan is Make America Great Again — of doing so to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Public opinion surveys indicate that American voters have apprehensions over President Biden’s age as he prepares for a potential electoral rematch against former President Trump, whom he emerged victorious against in the 2020 election.
A US journalist, David Ignatius of the Washington Post, last week urged Biden not to run for president, claiming that by doing so, he would jeopardise his “greatest achievement” of defeating Trump.
If elected to a second term, Biden—who is in New York this week for the UN General Assembly would be 86 years old, and his Republican rivals often bring up the subject.
Trump who is 77 and would be the oldest president ever elected if he wins next year said in an interview broadcast Sunday that Biden was “not too old” but was “incompetent”.
