President Biden Takes Aim at Trump’s Age in Latest Attack
President Joe Biden has launched a sharp new attack against his political rival, Donald Trump, mocking the former president’s age in an attempt to shift the narrative on his own age being a liability. In an interview with Seth Meyers on NBC’s “Late Night,” the 81-year-old Biden took a swipe at Trump, who is 77 years old, saying, “You got to take a look at the other guy.” Biden’s comment came in response to critics who argue that his age could hinder his chances in the upcoming election.
Biden humorously referenced Trump’s recent gaffe at CPAC, where he mistakenly called his wife Melania “Mercedes.” Mocking Trump’s memory lapse, Biden quipped, “He’s about as old as I am, but he can’t remember his wife’s name.” However, Biden emphasized that age should not be the sole factor in assessing a candidate, urging voters to consider “how old (their) ideas are.”
The president went on to highlight the stark differences between himself and Trump, particularly on key issues that he believes Trump wants to roll back. Biden criticized Trump’s stance on Roe v. Wade and other issues that he argued have been “solid American positions” for the past 50 to 60 years. He accused Trump of wanting to take the country backward rather than forward.
The timing of Biden’s interview with Meyers is significant as it coincides with his planned visit to the Texas-Mexico border on Thursday. Interestingly, this is the same day that Trump intends to head to Eagle Pass, Texas, approximately 300 miles away. The proximity of their visits adds an intriguing dynamic to their ongoing rivalry, especially given the recent clash between Texas and federal authorities regarding border crossings.
Biden’s decision to target Trump’s age marks a notable shift in his messaging strategy. Despite being competitors, both men have not frequently attacked each other over their age. Trump has previously stated that he does not believe Biden is too old to run for reelection. Instead, Trump has focused on portraying Biden as “incompetent” and “cognitively impaired,” arguing that it goes beyond age alone.
During his visit to Texas, Biden plans to meet with Border Patrol agents, law enforcement officials, and local elected representatives. The purpose of the visit is to discuss the urgent need to pass a bipartisan border security agreement, according to a White House advisory. Additionally, Biden has scheduled a high-stakes meeting at the White House on Tuesday with top congressional leaders. The meeting will address the border situation, the need to avoid a government shutdown, and the necessity of providing more funding to Ukraine.
Throughout the interview with Meyers, Biden did not shy away from criticizing Trump. He brought up Trump within minutes of being asked about infrastructure, highlighting the former president’s failed attempts at an infrastructure week. Biden emphasized that his administration has actually achieved progress in this area.
Moreover, Biden reiterated his criticism of Trump’s statement that he would allow Russia to have their way with NATO member countries who fail to fulfill funding obligations. Biden called the idea “bizarre” and “totally against our interest.” He expressed concern about what a second Trump term could mean for the relationship between the United States and other countries, claiming that foreign leaders are “scared to death.”
In conclusion, President Biden’s recent attack on Trump’s age represents a departure from their usual exchanges. By mocking Trump’s memory lapse and emphasizing the importance of ideas rather than age, Biden aims to counter criticisms about his own age as he prepares for the upcoming election. His visit to the Texas-Mexico border and high-stakes meeting with congressional leaders further underscore his commitment to addressing pressing national issues. As the rivalry between Biden and Trump continues, the stakes remain high, with democracy itself hanging in the balance, according to Biden.
