Joe Biden's past interviews prove just how much his voice has deteriorated over the years

ATLANTA, GEORGIA: From the lighthearted banter about golf to their less-than-flattering hairdos, the first 2024 presidential debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump was filled with soundbites and viral moments.

Among them, however, one aspect of President Biden's performance stood out above the rest: his voice.

Eyebrow-raising voice change of Joe Biden 

When President Biden took the stage, ready to spar with Trump, viewers were met with a surprise. Biden's voice, typically steady and clear, was notably raspy and frequently faded in and out as he addressed the moderators' questions.

This did not go unnoticed by the audience, many of whom shared their observations on social media.

One post on X (formerly Twitter) quickly garnered nearly a million views, stating, "Joe Biden's voice ran out after the first sentence #Debates2024."

"Is Joe Biden sick? Yikes. His voice is awful already," another wrote.

A comment read, "Is it just me or does Biden’s voice sound hoarse?"

Someone else added, "Biden's voice is horrible. It makes him sound even older than he is."

Given the concern, a campaign source revealed to The Wall Street Journal that Biden was indeed suffering from a cold, which likely contributed to the change in his voice. Despite this explanation, many did not buy that his illness was the sole reason for the difference.

A look back at Joe Biden's voice

To understand the full extent of the change, many began to reflect on Biden's voice over the years. Historical footage starkly contrasted his current tone with the stern, confident voice he once had.

In a 1972 ABC interview, a young Joe Biden, then a 30-year-old senator, had a drastically different vocal presence. At that time, the focus was on his youth rather than his advanced age.

Discussing the seniority system in the Senate, Biden confidently stated, "I think that the seniority system has many more drawbacks than it has merit." His voice was clear and authoritative and was a stark contrast to the shaky and coarse tone heard in the recent debate.

Four years later, in a 1976 interview with CBS 8 San Diego, Biden's voice remained bold and assertive. Speaking about the then-upcoming presidential debates, he remarked, "Well, I think he [President Gerald Ford] can benefit more because he's going in as an underdog and no one expects the voting public — I don't think, expects him to be very sharp or quick."

Understanding change in Joe Biden's voice 

Given the significant transformation in Biden's voice, many have wondered whether such a change is normal. Dr Claudio Milstein told Cleveland Clinic that there are two primary reasons for voice changes later in life.

First, he explains, "The most common cause of a voice change later in life is aging of the voice box and the respiratory system that powers the voice." As people age, the vocal cords lose flexibility, which can alter the voice's tone and strength.

Second, health issues can also play a significant role. Dr Milstein notes, "Sometimes, a voice change can herald a developing medical problem."

In Biden's case, speculation about his fitness for the presidency has been fueled by concerns over his well-being. While the exact cause of his voice change may be debated, it is clear that both age and health can significantly impact one's vocal cords.

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