Patti Davis, daughter of former President Reagan, suggested in an interview on NBC News’s “Meet the Press” that the United States should “probably” administer cognitive tests to presidential candidates. When asked if she thought cognitive tests should be given to those running for the presidency, Davis responded affirmatively, citing the impact of age on cognitive abilities. She acknowledged that age doesn’t always impair cognitive function but suggested it would be a prudent idea.
Davis reflected on her father’s presidency, noting that he left office at the age of 77 after two terms. She emphasized the relative youth of her father’s age at the time and hinted at the contrast with the current landscape where presidential candidates, such as President Biden and former President Trump, are in their 70s.
President Biden, now 81, was 77 when elected to his first term, while former President Trump, now 77, was sworn in at 70, breaking Reagan’s record for the oldest president to be sworn into office. Both Biden and Trump are leading candidates for their respective party’s nominations in the 2024 presidential election.
The issue of age and cognitive fitness has gained attention in recent political discourse, particularly with the prospect of an octogenarian serving as the next president. Nikki Haley, a Republican presidential candidate, has emphasized her relatively young age (52) and advocated for term limits and mental competency tests.
Davis referenced her father’s role in ending the Cold War and emphasized that he was not someone who was “fractured in age.” She acknowledged that, while she may have thought of him as old because he was her father, it was not in the same context as the current discussions about age and cognitive capabilities.
Reagan was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 1994, and there has been speculation about the onset of his symptoms in the years prior. White House staff raised concerns about his attentiveness and behavior, with some aides reportedly considering the possibility of invoking the 25th Amendment, though it was quickly dismissed by the chief of staff.
The interview with Patti Davis touches on the evolving conversation around the age and cognitive fitness of presidential candidates, bringing attention to the potential need for cognitive tests in the electoral process.
