In an unexpected turn of events on Sunday, Donald Trump found himself at a loss for words as his supporters in Las Vegas broke out into a spontaneous rendition of the iconic song “Happy Birthday.” Trump, who turned 78 on Friday, admitted that he preferred to ignore the significance of the day after the impromptu celebration.
The age of 78 has been on Trump’s mind for some time, with the former president previously stating, “78 is not old.” His opponent, President Joe Biden, turned 78 shortly after winning the election in 2020, sparking concerns about his fitness for office. Trump, if reelected, would become the oldest president at his swearing in at 78 years and 219 days, surpassing Biden’s previous record.
As both candidates are in their late 70s, the issue of age has been a focal point of the presidential race. A recent survey showed that more than half of US adults believe both candidates are too old to serve another term. Trump, however, has consistently downplayed concerns about his age and mental acuity, stating that he feels like he is “about 35 years old” and that he feels better now than he did 30 years ago.
Despite Trump’s efforts to project vitality, his age and mental state have come under increased scrutiny. His campaign and allies have pointed to incidents where he appeared tired or made verbal slips, while Biden’s campaign and surrogates have stepped up attacks on Trump’s cognitive abilities.
At a recent private fundraiser, second gentleman Doug Emhoff described Trump as a “degraded version of an already horrible person” following a rambling speech in Las Vegas. Trump’s comments during private meetings with Congressional Republicans were also met with criticism, with some attendees praising his performance while others called him “feeble.”
While Trump’s allies dismiss concerns about his age and mental state, others who have worked closely with him have raised red flags. Alyssa Farah Griffin, a former communications director in the Trump White House, noted a decline in Trump’s speech and behavior, stating that he does not sound like he did in 2016.
Despite the ongoing debate surrounding his age and mental acuity, Trump’s supporters remain confident in his ability to lead. Jonathan Turley, an attorney friendly to the former president, dismissed the idea of Trump ending up behind bars following his felony conviction, citing his age and status as a first-time offender.
