Former U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday, September 17, 2023, said that he supports cognitive testing for presidents and questioned the abilities of the current American President Joe Biden. The Republican frontrunner made these comments hours after claiming that Biden could start World War II if he wanted to because of his support for Ukraine in their ongoing bloodshed war against enemies Russia.
Trump’s comments about cognitive testing came during an interview with NBC News. He said that he believes that age does not matter, but cognitive function does, in a dig at ‘old foe’ Biden’s brain function. He also said that he believes that Biden is not mentally fit to be president.
“I don’t think Biden’s too old, ” he said, according to Daily Mail.co.uk
“But I think he’s incompetent, and that’s a bigger problem.”
At 80, Biden is the oldest person ever elected as US president, and his age is said to be worrying many voters across the political spectrum. Should Biden be re-elected, he would be 82 by the time he kicks off his second term in the White House. Trump, on the other hand, would be 78.
“You know, some of the greatest world leaders have been in their 80s,” Trump said.
“I’m not anywhere very near 80, by the way.”
Trump has thus called for screening of mild cognitive impairment to be made compulsory for presidents.
“You know, I took a test two years ago, three years ago,” he told NBC’s Kristen Welker.
“And as the doctors said — and it was in front of doctors and a whole big deal at Walter Reed [hospital], which is an incredible place.
“And I aced it. I get everything right.”
“I’m all for testing. I frankly think testing would be a good thing.
“A lot of people say it’s not constitutional to do it. But I would be for testing, to test to make sure everyone’s just fine.
“But a lot of people say that can’t happen because of the Constitution.”
Trump’s comments have been met with criticism from some, who say that they are ageist and disrespectful to the president. Others have defended Trump, saying that he is simply expressing his opinion and that he has a right to do so.
It is important to note that there is no scientific evidence to suggest that cognitive decline is inevitable with age. In fact, many people remain mentally sharp well into old age. However, it is also true that some people experience cognitive decline as they age.
Whether or not cognitive testing should be required for presidents is a matter of debate. Some argue that it is necessary to ensure that presidents are mentally fit to serve. Others argue that it is discriminatory and that it would violate the privacy of presidents.
Ultimately, it is up to the American people to decide whether or not they want to support cognitive testing for presidents.
