How Old Is Too Old? Age And The 2024 Election

Diane Rehm: On My Mind

WAMU 88.5

Artists And Thinkers Right Here As Diane Transitions This Podcast To Weekly Episodes That We’ll Be Calling “On My Mind.”, News, Writers, Fans Of The Diane Rehm Show Can Continue To Listen To Its Trademark Conversations With Newsmakers

4.7 • 2.2K Ratings

🗓️ 14 March 2024

⏱️ 30 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

How old is too old to be president? It’s a question many Americans are asking as Joe Biden and Donald Trump face off for the office.

President Biden is 81. Over the last four years, his hair has thinned, his gait has stiffened. And the media, not to mention his opponent, have pounced on his verbal gaffes, like when he mixed up the presidents of Egypt and Mexico, or when he seemed to momentarily forget the name of “Hamas.”

Meanwhile, Donald Trump is 77 and has experienced his own memory lapses, including when in a recent speech he said “Nikki Haley” was in charge of security on January 6th, when he clearly meant Nancy Pelosi.

“I wish we could separate our conversation about age and competency,” says Tracey Gendron, an expert on aging and author of the book “Ageism Unmasked.” She says that these issues with recall do not necessarily signify any underlying cognitive issues, but could happen to anyone, though admittedly increase as we age.

Tracey Gendron joins Diane on this episode of On My Mind to talk about memory, mental competency, and why she feels our conversation about age this election season is missing the mark.

Transcript

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0:00.0	I am on my mind.
0:08.0	The White House is a massive problem with Joe Biden.
0:11.5	It's an age problem.
0:12.6	In the case of Biden, the special counsel doubted they could get a conviction due to President Biden's age.
0:18.0	And a new poll is raising questions about President Biden and former President Trump's ages.
0:22.0	How old is too old to be president.
0:26.0	Trump Biden is 81.
0:29.0	Over the last four years, his heritage has thinned, his gait has stiffened.
0:35.0	And the media, not to mention his opponent, have pounced on his verbal gaps.
0:42.0	He appeared to mix up the president of Egypt
0:45.0	with the president of Mexico.
0:47.0	Take a listen.
0:48.0	Initially, the president of Mexico, C.C. did not want to open up the gate to allow humanitarian material to get in.
0:57.2	I talked to him.
0:59.2	Donald Trump is 77 and has experienced his own memory lapsons.
1:06.5	Trump facing criticism and questions regarding his mental fitness
1:10.0	after comments at a rally this weekend
1:11.8	where he mixed up his Republican rival
1:13.5	Nicki Haley and the former speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi when discussing
1:17.2	January 6th.
1:18.2	Nicki Haley is in charge of security. We offered her 10,000 people, soldiers, National Guard, whatever they want, they
1:26.8	turned it down.
	...

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