Former President Donald Trump’s attempts to mock President Joe Biden’s age have been accompanied by verbal slips and gaffes, raising concerns among his Republican rivals. Trump’s imitation of Biden’s supposed confusion has been a staple at his rallies, drawing laughter and applause from his supporters. However, Trump’s recent unforced errors, such as mistakenly thanking supporters in the wrong city and mispronouncing key names, have sparked criticism and questions about his own performance.
During a rally in Sioux City, Iowa, Trump thanked Sioux Falls, a town in South Dakota, before correcting himself upon being informed of his mistake. This incident echoed a fictional scenario Trump acted out earlier, where he pretended to be Biden confusing Iowa with Idaho. These missteps, along with other recent gaffes, have led prominent Republicans like Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida to comment on Trump’s diminished performance, noting that he appears different from his 2016 self.
The timing of these verbal blunders is critical as Trump aims to attack Biden’s age, positioning himself as a viable candidate for the 2024 presidential race. Both Biden and Trump are in their golden years, with Biden being 80 and Trump 77. Recent polls indicate that a significant portion of voters believe Biden is too old for another term, but fewer share the same concern about Trump. However, if Trump’s verbal mistakes continue, it could erode this advantage and level the playing field between the two candidates.
A survey conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research in August revealed that 43% of voters considered both candidates too old to serve another four-year term. Among these voters, 61% planned to vote for Biden, while only 13% favored Trump. Similar findings were reported in a Franklin & Marshall College poll in Pennsylvania, a crucial battleground state for the 2024 election. Biden led Trump among voters concerned about both candidates’ ages by a significant margin.
Despite these challenges, Trump’s campaign remains confident, pointing to his lead in Republican primary polls and slight advantages in some general election polls. Trump’s spokesperson, Steven Cheung, emphasized the former president’s dominance and dismissed concerns about his verbal slips. However, critics, including figures within the Republican party like Nikki Haley, have seized on these issues. Haley, a presidential candidate, has called for candidates over 75 to undergo mental competency tests and criticized Trump’s recent comments about world leaders and militant groups.
As the 2024 election approaches, Trump’s verbal slips could potentially impact his campaign, affecting how voters perceive his ability to lead and undermining his attacks on Biden’s age. The situation remains fluid, and Trump’s ability to address these concerns effectively will play a significant role in shaping the narrative around his candidacy.
