The idea of her husband, President Joe Biden, undergoing a competency test for senior politicians infuriated first lady Dr. Jill Biden.
In an interview, Biden referred to Nikki Haley’s suggestion as “crazy.” Haley is vying for the Republican presidential nomination.
When asked if her husband would be open to such a test, she responded, “We would never even discuss something like that,” according to CNN.
Joe Biden, who is 80 years old, is already the oldest president. Biden’s physical and mental health has come under scrutiny recently, even among people in his own party, as a result of instances in which the president has stumbled or faltered with his words.
When advocating for younger leaders last month, Haley appeared to target both Biden and former President Donald Trump, for whom she served as the United States ambassador to the UN.
At a gathering to launch her campaign, Haley declared: “In the America I picture, the permanent politician will finally retire. Term restrictions for Congress as well as required mental health screenings for elected officials that are over 75 years old”
Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), an older statesman who has also run for president, called Haley’s idea “absurd” and urged people to combat ageism in his response. Sanders is 81 years old.
Joe Biden says he wants to run for a second term, but he hasn’t formally decided to do so.
Following a physical last month, White House physician Kevin O’Connor said in a memo that the president “remains a healthy, vibrant 80-year-old guy who is fit to successfully fulfill the duties of the Presidency.”
Jill Biden, a veteran educator who holds a doctorate in education from the University of Delaware in educational leadership, told CNN that she is “okay with” making another run.
“Joe must make that choice,” she replied. “And we encourage him to pursue his goals. We are there if he enters. We are also there if he wants to do something different.”
