How old are Donald Trump and Joe Biden?
The two main contenders in the upcoming 2024 presidential election are both in their late 70s, the oldest candidates to ever run for office.
At 81 years old, President Joe Biden is already the oldest president in US history. Meanwhile, his Republican challenger Donald Trump turned 78 in June, meaning he would surpass Biden as the oldest person ever elected president if he wins.
The advanced ages of the two candidates have become a central issue in the 2024 race, with concerns about their physical and mental fitness to lead the country. According to a Gallup poll, 67% of Americans say Biden is too old to be president, compared to only 37% who say the same about Trump.
Additionally, 59% say they are “very concerned” about Biden’s age, while only 18% express the same level of concern about Trump’s age.
Why age could play a key part in the debate
The upcoming presidential debate will provide a rare opportunity for voters to assess the candidates’ physical and mental prowess side by side.
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The Biden campaign will aim to showcase the president’s endurance and ability to govern effectively, while Trump has suggested that Biden could exceed expectations and made unsubstantiated claims about the president using performance-enhancing drugs.
“It ought to be about both of them, but Biden looks his age,” said Larry Sabato, the director of the University of Virginia Center for Politics. Biden is “covered almost every moment he is out in public.”