Internet points at Joe Biden as Ronald Reagan's daughter recommends cognitive tests for prez candidates
WASHINGTON, DC: Former President Ronald Reagan's daughter, actress Patti Davis, suggested that cognitive tests for presidential candidates are a "good idea," reported Fox News.
Her remarks came in light of the 2024 presidential election, leading up to a potential showdown between 81-year-old incumbent Joe Biden and 77-year-old former president Donald Trump.
Before Biden was elected in 2020, Reagan was the oldest person to become President at the age of 69 in 1981.
In an interview with NBC's 'Meet the Press', host Kristen Welker queried Davis about the necessity of cognitive tests for presidential candidates, pointing out Biden is in his 80s and Trump is in his late 70s.
"Probably, yeah. And just what we know about what age can do, it doesn't always do that, but it would probably be a good idea. Yeah I know, my father was 77 when he left office after two terms, and it seems so young now, doesn't it?" the actress responded.
WATCH: When Ronald Reagan was elected at 69, he was the oldest person ever to be elected president.
— Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) February 18, 2024
Now his daughter, Patti Davis, says cognitive tests would be a “good idea.”
Davis: “My father was 77 when he left office after two terms. It seems so young now, doesn't it?” pic.twitter.com/wZO5KqO3Jd
Speculation on Biden and Trump's cognitive fitness
Concerns regarding Biden's cognitive ability shadowed his re-election bid after a special counsel report pointed at his inability to remember things, including his elder son's death date. The report by special counsel Robert Hur described the President as an "elderly man with poor memory."
However, the White House announced the President would not be taking a cognitive test due to the bombshell report.
Similarly, Trump, who had boasted about acing a cognitive fitness test, raised similar concerns in early January when he mixed up the names of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi with Nikki Haley and blamed the latter for the January 6 Capitol attack.
Responding to the blunder, GOP presidential primary opponent Haley questioned his mental acuity.
Patti Davis says her father was not 'fractured in age'
Along with supporting the idea of cognitive tests for presidential contenders, Davis took the opportunity to laud Reagan's presidential actions despite his age.
When asked if it felt he was old at the time, she said, "I don't think it did because it was '87, I believe, when he stood in front of the Berlin Wall and said 'Mr Gorbachev, tear down this wall', so that was not someone who was fractured in age. I mean yes, I probably thought he was old because he was my father and we think that about our parents, but not in the way that we are talking about now."
She further added her father would be "appalled" by the present condition of politics. Stating he did not adhere to lack of civility, attacking another person, and cruelty, she added that's what the country is dealing with now, and her father would be "really scared for our democracy."
Reagan was 77 when he left the office after serving two presidential terms.
Internet calls for cognitive test as a 'requirement'
Netizens concurred with Davis' suggestion to conduct cognitive tests for presidential contenders, adding that President Biden should be forced to take one.
One user said, "JOE BIDEN is WAY over DUE."
JOE BIDEN is WAY over DUE . https://t.co/C6VwNtDVJ0
— Rhonda Giannelli (@RondoUSA) February 19, 2024
Another user remarked, "If older people need to retake a driver's test after a certain age or illness, then a president needs to take a cognitive test!"
If older people need to retake a driver's test after a certain age or illness, then a president needs to take a cognitive test!
— ImAware (@hecateswand) February 18, 2024
"Everyone with a brain believes that. It should be a requirement on anyone that has a desire to be president," a third response read.
Everyone with a brain believes that. It should be a requirement on anyone that has a desire to be president.
— Jared Baker (@Brojbaker) February 18, 2024
A fourth user added, "But trump will never accept the result."
"Why won't Biden get a cognitive test?? HE KNOWS HE WOULD FAIL BIDEN SHOULD BE FORCED TO TAKE A COGNITIVE TEST," one user wrote.
Why won't Biden get a cognitive test?? HE KNOWS HE WOULD FAIL 🤡
— camus rocks (@camusrocks) February 19, 2024
BIDEN SHOULD BE FORCED TO TAKE A COGNITIVE TEST. https://t.co/xC4rW4QkjC
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.