President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump have made numerous gaffes at public speaking events in recent months. Trump and Biden are among a growing list of aging politicians some feel have overstayed their welcome.
There are roughly 20 members of Congress who are 80 years of age and older, including Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, who’s 90.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who recently celebrated his 82nd birthday, had a couple of the most scrutinized incidents last year that called into question his mental fitness.
McConnell’s public scares has increased calls for term and age limits for those in public office. In September 2023, the then 81-year-old had a second freezing incident in a matter of two months when he stood stock-still on camera after being asked a question by a reporter during a press conference.
Months later McConnell made the unexpected — though unsurprising — announcement that he will be stepping down as the Senate Republican Leader in November, but that he also plans to finish out his current term that ends in January 2027.
While McConnell’s incidents might not be tied to memory loss, other mistakes committed by the two likely candidates heading into the 2024 presidential election have many Americans concerned there may be signs of something more than common memory lapses.
At 81 years old, Biden is the oldest person to serve as U.S. president. He’s seeking a second term and will turn 82 two weeks after the November election. But his age has been a cause of concern for voters, one that has been made worse by a recent special report by Special Counsel Robert Hur that investigated his handling of classified documents during the years after he served as vice president in the Obama administration.
In the report, Hur describes the president’s memory as “faulty,” “hazy,” “fuzzy,” and “poor.” It also said the president’s memory had “significant limitations,” noting that he…
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