80-year-old American President Joe Biden has voters worried ahead of the 2024 election. Although he hasn't announced a rerun, many are unsure if he would still be physically fit for a second term in office.
"The President Remains Fit For Duty"
When asked how he would reply to those who consider him unfit in an interview last September, President Biden defended his age, saying he's still in "a pretty good shape."
"I mean honest to God, that's all I think," Biden continued. "If you think I don't have the energy level or mental acuity, then, you know, that's one thing. It's another thing to just watch and keep my schedule, and do what I'm doing. I know when I sit down with my NATO allies and keep them together, I don't have them saying, 'Wait a minute, how old are you?' ... I think it relates to how much energy you have, and whether or not the job you're doing is one consistent with one any person of any age would be able to do," he defended.
In a report published by the White House last Thursday, President Biden's physician has confirmed that "the president remains fit for duty" after a medical summary of his physical examination where he described him as "healthy and vigorous." The president had traveled to Walter Reed Medical Center for his annual physical examination that Thursday. The hospital released his health summary through his physician, Dr. Kevin O'Connor.
The medical summary revealed that he is currently being treated for multiple "stable" health conditions; non-valvular atrial fibrillation, hyperlipidemia, gastroesophageal reflux, seasonal allergies, "mild" sensory peripheral neuropathy of both feet, and his gate, which "remains stiff but has not worsened since last year." All of his lab work also returned normal.
Will President Biden Run For Office in 2024?
A recent poll disclosed that 72% of American adults believe the President is "too old to work in government." This indicates that voters may be concerned about his serving ability if he intends to rerun in 2024. Being the oldest person to serve as US President, concerns over his age and physical fitness have gone overboard.
Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House press secretary, has dismissed concerns about his physical ability to reporters.
"This is a president that works day in and day out, you know, in a grueling fashion with a grueling schedule, and delivers,” she explained.
Reports from his physical examination also identified that the 80-year-old president works out five times weekly and ensures to keep off alcohol, cigarettes, and tobacco after a fraction of Democrats voiced their worries that they are not confident he can handle the physical stress of the presidency.
While other Democratic respondents are certain he is still mentally active for a rerun, By the time President Biden turns 86 at the end of his second term, he would have been 13 years older than the average life expectancy of an American male, according to the 2020 US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data.