WASHINGTON (AP) 鈥 First lady Jill Biden says her husband's age is an 鈥渁sset," as President Joe Biden 鈥 at 81 already the oldest American leader in history 鈥 faces persistent questions from voters about his decision to seek another term.
In an interview with MSNBC's 鈥淢orning Joe" released Thursday, Jill Biden responded to those concerned the Democratic president is too old, saying, 鈥淚 say his age is an asset.鈥
鈥淗e has wisdom. He has experience," she continued. "He knows every leader on the world stage. He鈥檚 lived history. He knows history. He鈥檚 thoughtful in his decisions. He is the right man or the right person for the job at this moment in history.鈥
Joe Biden for months 鈥 even as polls suggest it鈥檚 no laughing matter. from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that 77% of U.S. adults, including 69% of Democrats, viewed Biden as too old to be effective for four more years.
When Biden on Nov. 20, 2023, he joked repeatedly about his advanced age, saying it was "difficult turning 60鈥 and promising he wasn't at a ceremony for pardoning Thanksgiving turkeys when the tradition started 76 years earlier: 鈥淚 want you to know I wasn鈥檛 there 鈥 for the first one.鈥
But while Biden was poking fun at his age, the White House was busy defending his stamina and trying to bat away suggestions the issue could cost him votes in this year鈥檚 election. Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said then that the president鈥檚 age should not be a primary focus. 鈥淥ur perspective is it鈥檚 not about age, it鈥檚 about the president鈥檚 experience,鈥 she said, highlighting he had championed through Congress.
