In a bid to address recent concerns about his age and cognitive abilities, President Biden took a lighthearted approach during a speech at the National Association of Counties Legislative Conference in Washington. Making light of the situation, he quipped, “I’ve been around a while. I do remember that.”
The jest comes on the heels of a special counsel report released last week, which cleared Biden of criminal wrongdoing in his handling of classified documents post-vice presidency. However, the report did characterize the president as a “well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory” and noted “diminished faculties in advancing age.”
President Biden’s opponents have seized upon the special counsel’s characterization, using it to argue that he may be unfit for the presidency. The president, known for injecting humor into his public appearances, chose to address the issue with a joke, possibly aiming to deflect concerns and ease the tension surrounding the report.
This episode adds to the ongoing scrutiny of President Biden’s health and cognitive abilities, with his age becoming a focal point of political discussions. As the administration navigates complex domestic and international challenges, the president’s physical and mental fitness remains a topic of considerable interest and debate.
The White House is dismissing concerns over President Biden’s age. Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters Biden’s age and experience make him an effective leader, highlighting his legislative wins. The president’s age has become a primary issue leading up to the presidential election following the special counsel report that found Biden appeared to have “significant limitations” regarding his memory. An ABC News/Ipsos poll conduced days after the report found 86-percent of Americans believe he’s too old to serve in office. Biden is the oldest president to run for office at age 81.
Watch: Biden defends his memory after damning special counsel report
