Joe Biden will never take mental competency test: US First Lady
2 Min Read
The first lady rebuffs worries about her husband's age, emphasizing his hectic travel schedule, which included recent travels to Poland and Ukraine.
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President Joe Biden speaks, flanked by his wife Jill Biden, at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia (AFP)
US President Joe Biden will not take a mental fitness test, and forcing politicians over the age of 75 to do so is "ridiculous", First Lady Jill Biden said in clear a response to US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley's proposal.
Former US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley declared her candidacy for the 2024 presidential election in February. In her debut address as a presidential candidate, Haley proposed a required fitness test for lawmakers above the age of 75.
Commenting on whether her husband would take a mental fitness test, Biden told CNN, "Ridiculous ... We would never even discuss something like that."
The first lady rebuffed worries about her husband's age, emphasizing his hectic travel schedule, which included recent travels to Poland and Ukraine.
"How many 30-year-olds could travel to Poland, and get on the train? Go nine more hours, go to Ukraine, meet with President (Volodymyr) Zelensky?" Biden added.
Biden turned 80 years old in November 2022. He was the oldest person inaugurated in the office, taking the presidential oath at the age of 78. If Biden runs for reelection in 2024 and succeeds, he will be 86 before finishing his second term as president. The President previously stated that he will be honest with the American people about any health issues he may have.
