Chris Hayes finds it ‘weird’ there are no more concerns about Trump's age after Biden dropped out
WASHINGTON, DC: On Friday, August 30, MSNBC host Chris Hayes questioned why the topic of age, once a significant issue, has seemingly vanished from political discourse.
According to Rawstory, the discussion on age intensified in June following President Joe Biden’s poor performance in a debate on June 27, leading to heightened scrutiny of the 81-year-old president’s capacity to serve another term.
Chris Hayes questions absence of age concerns in campaign coverage
Chris Hayes remarked on X, “It is a little weird that 'age concerns' have disappeared as a constant focus of campaign reporting and discussion even though the GOP nominee would be the oldest man ever sworn in to the office and is very obviously sharply declining before our eyes.”
It is a *little* weird that "age concerns" have disappeared as a constant focus of campaign reporting and discussion even though the GOP nominee would be the oldest man ever sworn in to the office and is very obviously sharply declining before our eyes.
— Chris Hayes (@chrislhayes) August 30, 2024
In response, MAGA supporters defended Trump, noting his vigorous campaign rallies, while some on the left expressed more concern about Trump's “cognitive concerns” rather than his age.
Hayes later commented on the diverse range of reactions, saying, “Lol replies to posts like this on https://x.com in the year of our lord 2024 are like a Hieronymus Bosch mural of all the different kinds of internet weirdos in existence.”
Joe Biden defends competence while Donald Trump boasts about cognitive tests
However, during the June 27 debate, both President Joe Biden, 81, and former president Donald Trump, 78, faced questions about their age and fitness for office.
According to the New York Times, Biden, addressing concerns about his mental and physical acuity, briefly referenced his long career, saying, “I spent half my career being criticized being the youngest person in politics… and now I’m the oldest. This guy is three years younger, and a lot less competent.”
He then highlighted his administration’s achievements and discussed his visit to South Korea to boost semiconductor production.
Trump, meanwhile, boasted about passing cognitive tests and questioned Biden’s ability to do the same. He also mentioned his golf scores and shared a peculiar exchange about a golf challenge with Biden.
Trump remarked, “He challenged me to a golf match… He can’t hit a ball 50 yards,” to which Biden responded with an offer for a driving contest, "I'd be happy to have a driving contest with him. I got my handicap, when I was Vice President, down to a 6.”
Donald Trump dismissed this as “the biggest lie” and suggested, “Let’s not act like children.”
