Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg on Sunday aimed his criticism of Vice President Harris at former President Trump, saying voters are concerned about Trump’s age and health now that he faces a much younger opponent in the presidential election.
Buttigieg clashed with “Fox News Sunday” host Shannon Bream over criticism of Harris for staying silent in the weeks before Biden dropped out of the race due to concerns about her age and mental health.
“I’m sure voters are concerned about President Trump’s age and acuity compared to Kamala Harris, who is a generation younger,” Buttigieg said. “Is there anyone who doesn’t feel a little concerned when they see his rhetoric and his incoherent rhetoric on the campaign trail?”
The secretary praised Biden’s decision to drop out of the race and argued that Republicans are tied to the ageing candidate Trump.
“We also [Biden is] “I’m 10 years older than I was 10 years ago, but I’m not one of those Republicans who looks at Donald Trump in his cult of personality and says he’s totally fine,” Buttigieg said. “He can’t seem to tell the difference between Nikki Haley and Nancy Pelosi, and he’s all about electrocuting sharks and Hannibal Lecter, even though he’s obviously older and weirder than when America first got to know him.”
“They say [Trump is] “They’re as strong as bulls and can leap tall buildings in one bound,” he continued. “On our side, there’s no such twisted reality.”
Buttigieg is believed to be on the shortlist to be Harris’ running mate and served as a lead surrogate for her campaign last week.
Democrats have quickly rallied around Harris, whose campaign has already amassed enough enthusiastic delegates to virtually guarantee the party’s nomination. With no other candidates challenging her for the nomination, her campaign has been breaking fundraising records in an attempt to make up for a late start.
The Trump campaign responded to Buttigieg’s comments in a statement to The Hill.
“It’s not a matter of age, it’s a matter of ability. Kamala Harris has proven to be just as inept and incompetent as Joe Biden,” spokeswoman Caroline Leavitt said. “President Trump is stronger than ever, as evidenced by his relentless work ethic and incredible resolve in the wake of a gruesome assassination attempt. The American people are trusting President Trump to lead our country great again.”
Updated at 2:06 p.m.
