Trump and the MAGA community deride the elderly Biden.
Four years back, Joe Biden and the Democrats could brush off this topic. Today, it's practically inescapable. When the American President emerges, he sometimes looks old or frail. His rival Donald Trump and his followers seize the opportunity.
June 6. US President Joe Biden attends a stage with other leaders in Normandy to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day, the Allied invasion of Europe against Nazi Germany. French President Emmanuel Macron and Biden interact with veterans, shake hands, tap shoulders, then part ways. The 81-year-old shakes Macron's hand, leans forward slightly, grips it tighter, as his wife Jill says something to him, then takes a seat. The others follow suit.
Trump's team publishes this footage on the same day via an X account of the Republican Party - minus the part with the chair. They remark on the recording with "weird" and an anxious grinning emoji. Trump's MAGA media mirrors this - alleging that Biden can no longer keep himself together. Shameless comments can be assumed. The conservative Fox News goes a bit further, labelling the president as "disoriented" and "confused" in Normandy.
However, within context, it's apparent that Biden wasn't lost or confused. He also delivered an animated speech later: about the importance of D-Day and the current requirement for help for Ukraine in its defense war against Russia. As usual, this was assisted by a teleprompter. Biden also surfaced in public a few days later. His age is undeniable. Yet, nothing out of the ordinary is transpiring.
This episode with the French video illustrates how the Republicans operate their attacks on the Democrats and Biden. Throw everything at the wall and observe what sticks. As Biden's age is concerned, this approach might become more potent with time.
In the 2020 campaign, Republicans tried to depict Biden as a pushover who holed up in his "basement" or "bunker" at home rather than campaigning. However, Biden was in better shape, and the Democratic candidate had a justification. The Covid-pandemic. Biden didn't have to display himself. Trump was unpopular, the economy was flagging, and Biden was leading in the polls. That's all different now. Approval ratings for the Democrats are depressed. Gallup measured 39% in May. Every president with less than 47% at that time was rejected a few months later.
Ridiculing the Enemy
The barriers of how the Republicans handle their political foe have been shifted or even erased by Trump in recent years. The demand to incarcerate Hillary Clinton in the 2016 race. The ridicule of physical disability. The insults for anyone who lost favour. "Sleepy Joe," as Biden has been dubbed since 2020, is nearly affectionate in this catalog. During a campaign outing last week, Trump mocked his opponent once more; this time as a senile, motionless elderly man who can't even recall which ice cream flavour he likes anymore.
Biden's Age Takes Spotlight. Republicans Tag Him as a Feeble Leader Unable to Handle the Country's Credibility and Representation. At a Concert at the White House a Short while Ago. In a video recording, Vice President Kamala Harris is observed dancing and singing next to Biden, most guests sway to the beat. It's a rare moment of reprieve. Biden grins and keeps staring for a few seconds. "NOBODY'S HOME", "Fox News" quipped, implying the President appears "apparently petrified". The video swiftly evolved into a meme on social media and could still have a long-lasting impression.
Indeed, Biden is the oldest President in US history. Nevertheless, he isn't the only elderly gentleman in DC capable of surpassing records. Should Biden lose the November election to Trump, Trump will go beyond him: He turns 78 on June 14th - implying he'd be 82 at the conclusion of his term. Nonetheless, prior to that, the two elderly gentlemen will engage in a debate on television in roughly two weeks, supplying material for potential videos.
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In the anticipated US presidential election of 2024, both Joe Biden and Donald Trump will be over 80, making history for being the oldest contenders. During the campaign, Fox News commented on a video of Biden dancing and singing at a White House concert, labeling him as "apparently petrified."
During the 2020 US presidential election, Donald Trump and his supporters often ridiculed Joe Biden's age, dubbing him "Sleepy Joe," and implying that he was mentally incapable of leading the country. Despite this, Biden delivered animated speeches and maintained a high approval rating, ultimately winning the election.
When Joe Biden toured France for the 80th anniversary of D-Day, Trump's team and conservative media seized upon footage of Biden looking frail and interpreted it as evidence of his unfitness to be President. However, Biden's performance in other public appearances and speeches refuted these claims.
