Joe Bidenthe oldest president in United States history, said he understood the criticism about his age, but that he was running for re-election because the former president donald trump sought to “destroy” democracy.
Biden, 80, generally avoids talking about his age, but he addressed the issue during a fundraiser at a Broadway theater in New York, where he stated that his experience helped him face crises such as Ukraine or the COVID-19.
“A lot of people seem to focus on my age,” the president said. “I get it, believe me. I know it more than anyone.”
“I am running because democracy is at stake, because democracy is again at the polls in 2024. And let there be no doubt: donald trump and his MAGA (Make America Great Again, Trump’s slogan, ed.) Republicans are determined to destroy American democracy,” he added.
The Democrat added that he would not “bow” to “dictators,” which he accused Trump of regarding Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Concern over Biden’s age
Opinion polls show that American voters are concerned about Biden’s age ahead of a likely rematch next year against Trump, whom he defeated in the 2020 election.
The influential American columnist David Ignatius, of the Washington Postcaused a stir last week when he asked the president not to run, stating that Biden risked undermining “his greatest achievement”: defeating Trump.
Joe Bidenwho attends the UN General Assembly in New York this week, would be 86 years old at the end of a second term, which is a source of attack from his Republican opponents.
Trump, who is 77 and who if elected would be the oldest president ever elected in the country’s history, said Biden is “not too old” but “incompetent.” (AFP)
