Maryland Senate Majority Whip David Trone spoke the quiet part out loud last week, admitting he wished President Biden had been a decade younger as he seeks a second term in the White House.
“I wish he was 10 years younger, okay?” Tron (D-Md.) told a group of Democrats on Feb. 21. According to a video obtained by Politico. “Who wouldn’t?” I know. It’s true. But you know what it is. we will do the best we can. ”
Tron’s comments, 68, prompted a mix of laughter and nervous murmurs from event attendees.
He later downplayed his criticism of Biden, 81.
“I often say I wish I was 10 years younger. I also often say that Joe Biden is doing a great job, and that’s exactly what I said in the unedited version of this video,” tweeted Tron. he told Politico.
Biden is the oldest sitting president, and would be 86 years old by the end of his second term.
The issue of age looms large in the 2024 presidential election cycle.Recent ABC News/Ipsos poll It found that 86% of voters think the president is too old to serve another term.
The poll also found that 62% of Americans believe former President Donald Trump is too old to serve another term. If Mr. Trump, 77, wins and completes his term, he will become the oldest US president in history, surpassing Mr. Biden by a narrow margin.
Democrats have long sought to protect Biden from criticism of his age, with California Gov. Gavin Newsom recently calling Biden’s age “the reason he’s been so successful.” he claimed.
Tron has joked about Biden’s status as an octogenarian in the past.
“Joe Biden, he’s working on all cylinders and firing. Does he speak slower? Yes. Does he move like he’s older? Yeah,” Democratic County Club of Stevensville Politico reported.
“But I’ve been a CEO for life. Things are run by the smart people you hire and the people around you. And you hire as many great people as you can for all these jobs. That’s how government works: through others.”
Tron is vying in a crowded Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by retiring 80-year-old Ben Cardin (D-Md.). Another front-runner is Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks.
The winner of this contest will likely face Republican former Gov. Larry Hogan in the Deep Blue state.
Tron’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Post.
