Letter: If Biden's age was so concerning, why isn't Trump's age?

The landscape of the 2024 presidential election has shifted markedly since President Joe Biden voluntarily stepped aside as the Democratic Party’s presumptive nominee last month. Democrats were appropriately concerned not only about Biden’s debate performance on June 27, but also about his advancing age. Thus, his support within his party rapidly waned.

However, once Biden stepped aside, numerous Republicans suggested that our president should also resign the presidency immediately. It is puzzling why those who support former President Donald Trump’s current candidacy would say this.

President Biden was born Nov. 20, 1942. He’ll be 82 years, two months of age on Inauguration Day, 2025. Former President Donald Trump was born on June 14, 1946. He will be 82 years, seven months of age on Inauguration Day, 2029.

If there is another Trump presidency, our next commander in chief will be five months and a week older than President Biden was at every equivalent point in both presidents’ terms. Thus, if Republicans wish to make age an issue, shouldn’t they also make it an issue regarding their nominee?

Further, Trump’s unhinged diatribe against Vice President Kamala Harris, when he addressed the National Association of Black Journalists last week, is concerning. Trump opined that Harris has somehow only recently become “Black.” This assertion was a lie. It is not an example of thoughts of a coherent mind. If the current version of Donald Trump is the best Republicans can offer now, what can we expect by January of 2029?