Bill Clinton jokes about Donald Trump’s age at Oklahoma City bombing memorial: ‘Can’t run for anything’

Thirty years after the deadly attack, Bill Clinton returned to Oklahoma City to remember those who lost their lives in the bombing
UPDATED APR 20, 2025
Bill Clinton took a swipe at Donald Trump while honoring the Oklahoma City bombing victims (Kevin Dietsch, Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Bill Clinton took a swipe at Donald Trump while honoring the Oklahoma City bombing victims (Kevin Dietsch, Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA: At the 30th anniversary memorial of the Oklahoma City bombing, former president Bill Clinton used a touch of humor to make a point at Donald Trump’s expense.

“I’m old and I can’t run for anything anymore,” the 78-year-old said on Saturday, April 19, in downtown Oklahoma City. “I’m almost as old as President Trump!” he added.

The crowd chuckled, but Clinton's speech quickly took a serious turn, reported The Daily Beast.



 

Bill Clinton urges Americans to live by 'Oklahoma Standard'

On April 19, 1995, a truck bomb exploded, domestic terrorists Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols detonated a truck bomb outside the Alfred P Murrah Federal Building in downtown Oklahoma City. The explosion killed 168 people including 19 children at the America’s Kids Day Care Center and injured hundreds more.

Bill Clinton was just over two years into his first term as president at that time.

Standing just miles from where the devastating 1995 attack occurred, the former president on Saturday called for Americans to reject the toxic pull of grievance politics and instead embrace what became known as the “Oklahoma Standard", a term coined to reference how the city responded to the attack with unity and kindness.

“Everybody is arguing about whose resentments matter most,” Clinton said. “If our lives are going to be dominated by the effort to dominate people we disagree with, we’re going to put the 250-year march toward a more perfect union at risk.”

“We can still find a way to move forward together with the Oklahoma Standard,” he said. “We were there for you when you needed us. America needs you, and America needs the Oklahoma Standard. We all live by it," Clinton added.



 

“The nation’s eyes were there. The nation’s heart was broken there,” Clinton later said in a message from the Clinton Foundation.

Saturday’s memorial was held at First Church, where survivors, families, and dignitaries gathered to honor the victims. Each of the 168 names was read aloud in a solemn remembrance ceremony.

Internet calls Bill Clinton’s subtle jab at Donald Trump 'priceless'

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - FEBRUARY 09: U.S. President Donald Trump attends the Super Bowl LIX Pregame at Caesars Superdome on February 09, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Roc Nation)
President Donald Trump attends the Super Bowl LIX Pregame at Caesars Superdome on February 9, 2025, in New Orleans, Louisiana (Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Roc Nation)

Former president Bill Clinton sparked a flurry of reactions after delivering a reflective tribute at the Oklahoma City bombing memorial and slipping in a light jab at Donald Trump that social media users quickly latched on to.

One user applauded the timing, “That stab at the end was priceless! Very well placed and said.”

Another shared, “I miss him, bring him back, before Trump annihilates our beautiful U.S of A.”

A comment read, “Wish Trump never ran for President Ist time or 2nd time.”

“Brilliant- almost as old as Trump!!,” another wrote. 

One user said, “You look much better than Trump.”

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.

GET BREAKING U.S. NEWS & POLITICAL UPDATES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

The administration accused both networks of ignoring families affected by crimes involving undocumented immigrants, calling the decision political
4 hours ago
Trump urges Netflix to fire board member Susan Rice over her corporate accountability comments
4 hours ago
David Sundberg runs for Maryland’s 5th District, pledging to uphold the rule of law after FBI exit
5 hours ago
President Trump rejected surveys showing weak support and insisted that unnamed 'real polls' showed a stronger standing
5 hours ago
Former NYPD officer says 'the system failed' as Trump criticizes Biden’s immigration policies
7 hours ago
The initial slate includes veterans, former lawmakers, and local officials targeting competitive GOP-held districts across battleground states
8 hours ago
In a Truth Social post, the president criticized the Court’s decision and said he would temporarily refer to it in lowercase to show his disapproval
9 hours ago
GOP targets missed paychecks, travel chaos as leverage; Dems stay united in shutdown standoff
9 hours ago
Thomas dissented, saying the majority misread the law and precedent on trade power
9 hours ago
Gavin Newsom was grilled over California having the highest cost of living in the US, with prices about 11% higher than the national average
16 hours ago