According to Mediate, NBC News anchor and new Meet the Press moderator Kristen Welker conducted an interview with former President Donald Trump, touching on the age issue that has been a topic of discussion in American politics. Welker, who has replaced Chuck Todd as the host of the long-running Sunday show, questioned Trump about the possibility of him being in his 80s if reelected, similar to the current situation with President Joe Biden.
In a preview of the Trump interview for Meet the Press, Welker asked the following questions:
KRISTEN WELKER: What do you make of the age issue? Should there be an age limit to running for president?
FMR. PRES. DONALD TRUMP: No, but there should be a competency. I’m all for the test. You know, I took a test two years ago, three years ago. And as the doctors said — and it was in front of doctors and a whole big deal at Walter Reed, 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 Constitution.
KRISTEN WELKER: What do you say to people who say, “It is time for a new generation of leaders in this country?”
FMR. PRES. DONALD TRUMP: Well, it’s always time for a new generation. But, you know, some of the greatest world leaders have been in their 80s. I’m not anywhere very near 80, by the way. And Biden’s not too old. I don’t think Biden’s too old. But I think he’s incompetent, and that’s a bigger problem. I don’t think 80 is old. I know people that are 89. I know a person 94, 95 who’s 100%. Bernie Marcus, take a look at Bernie Marcus, Home Depot. I mean, he has been amazing for so many years. He’s 95 years old. It’s really a level of competency, not the age.
KRISTEN WELKER: You will be in your 80s if you’re reelected. Does that concern you at all?
FMR. PRES. DONALD TRUMP: Well, I will be toward the end. No, because my father lived much longer than that. My mother lived much longer than that. So genetically, that’s a good thing.
In this interview segment, Trump expressed his views on age and competency in presidential leadership, emphasizing the importance of competency rather than setting age limits for presidential candidates. He mentioned his own performance on a cognitive test and suggested that testing could be a useful measure. Trump also highlighted that some of the world’s greatest leaders have been in their 80s and that it’s not the age but the level of competency that matters.
The exchange provided insight into Trump’s perspective on the age issue and his potential reelection in the future.
