Politics

Eighty and Ready To Rumble

What’s going on: Most people celebrate their 80th birthday with cake and family. President Trump opted for UFC cage fights on the White House’s South Lawn (complete with a dramatic walkout and American flag-themed uniforms), before jetting off to France for the G7 Summit. Critics say his rigorous schedule seems intended to combat concerns about aging sparked by dozing off at important events, late-night social media sprees, and bruised hands (the White House blames too much hand-shaking for the latter and insists the president is in “excellent” health). But, a recent poll found that less than half of US adults think Trump has the mental sharpness or physical health to serve effectively. In 2024, he became the oldest person elected president; if he completes his second term, he’ll surpass former President Joe Biden to become the oldest president in US history. 

That’s a lot of candles: It’s not just Trump. Twenty-four members of Congress are 80 or older. Some Americans would like to see octogenarians barred from public office, particularly after reports said that President Biden hid signs of his physical and cognitive decline. Rahm Emanuel (D), former mayor of Chicago — and a potential 2028 presidential contender at a youthful 66 — has called for a mandatory retirement age of 75 across the three branches of government. A 2023 Pew Research Center poll showed that 79% of Americans support maximum age limits for elected officials in DC and 74% want them for Supreme Court justices. But others say that’s just ageism — and some people can maintain great cognitive health into their 80s. President Trump clearly sees himself as capable; “I don’t feel old,” he said earlier this month. “I feel the same as I did 50 years ago.”

Related: Meet One of the World’s Youngest Elected Politicians (The Guardian)