Biden: "Only 3 Years Older Than Trump... Mentally Strong" (Summary)

"I am old. But I am only three years older than former President Donald Trump, my presidential rival." U.S. President Joe Biden, who is under pressure to resign, once again dismissed the controversies surrounding his age and cognitive decline. When asked how the recent shooting incident might affect the November presidential election, he replied that he did not know.

[Image source=Captured from NBC News USA]

In an NBC News interview aired on the night of the 15th (local time), President Biden said, "I understand why people say, 'Oh my God, he is 81 years old.' It is a legitimate question to ask what happens when you turn 83 or 84," but added, "My mental acuity is very sharp." He emphasized, "I have accomplished more than any president in the past three and a half years," and said, "I am willing to be judged on that."

In particular, President Biden reaffirmed that despite strong pressure to withdraw as a candidate, he will continue his presidential race in November. He said that Democratic voters chose him as their candidate and that he will "listen to them." When asked who he discusses with when deciding whether to stay in the race or withdraw, he answered, "Myself," adding, "I have been doing this for a long time."

[Image source=Captured from NBC News USA]

On the same day, President Biden admitted that his statement just before the assassination attempt on former President Trump, saying "We have to put him in the bullseye," was a "mistake." Locally, Biden’s rhetoric has been criticized, especially among Republican supporters, as partly causing the assassination attempt.

He emphasized, "I was not talking about the crosshair that appears on a gun sight," and said, "I meant to focus on him. Focus on what he is doing, focus on his policies, and focus on the number of lies he told during the debate."

The controversial "bullseye" remark came during a private call between President Biden and his supporters in August. At that time, under pressure to resign after a poor first television debate, he said, "The talk about the debate is over. It’s time to put Trump in the bullseye," which was interpreted as a call to focus attacks on his opponent.

However, after former President Trump was shot during a campaign event in Butler, Pennsylvania, on the 13th, claims arose that Biden’s remarks were partly responsible. Republican Congressman Mike Collins stated on his X (formerly Twitter) account, "President Biden gave the order." J.D. Vance, a senator announced as Trump’s running mate that day, also criticized immediately after the attack, saying, "His rhetoric directly led to the assassination attempt on former President Trump."

However, in the interview, President Biden clearly criticized former President Trump’s usual remarks and his tone of criticizing threats to democracy. When asked about the impact of the shooting incident on the presidential election, he replied, "I don’t know, and neither do you."

President Biden said, "If the president speaks as he (Trump) does, how can we address the threat to democracy? This is real," and pointed out, "I have not been involved in such (incendiary) rhetoric. My competitor (Trump) is involved." He also added, "I remember the photo of former Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband being attacked with a hammer, and former President Trump mocking it."