Biden's age continues to shape the political debate: new polls reveal concerns about Trump

When Donald Trump took office in January 2025, the issue of age once again became the focus of American political discussion. Unlike his predecessor, who faced increasing questions about his mental capacity as he aged, Trump now faces similar scrutiny. A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll, conducted over six days and concluded on Monday, highlights the extent of these public concerns.

Biden’s Age as a Precedent: How the Presidential Narrative Changed

Biden’s age was a key factor in the 2024 presidential election. The former Democratic president ended his term at 82, the oldest president in U.S. history. Many citizens believed he had lost mental sharpness over time, an argument Trump capitalized on during his campaign. However, just months after winning the election, the new president now faces similar criticisms.

Trump returned to office at age 78, becoming the oldest president in history on Inauguration Day. He is currently 79 and is set to turn 80 in June 2026. Since then, he has implemented policies and proposals at an unprecedented pace, imposing significant tariffs on imports from dozens of countries and deploying federal agents nationwide to combat illegal immigration.

Impulsive Behavior and Tone Changes in the White House

He has often adopted an angry tone in his public statements. Last week, he declared himself “absolutely ashamed” that the conservative-leaning U.S. Supreme Court struck down many of his tariffs as illegal. Trump responded by reinstating a series of new tariffs, arguing he could do so under other legal authorities. In another incident, he attacked Democratic lawmakers who urged U.S. military members to reject illegal orders, calling them “traitors who could be executed.”

The Reuters/Ipsos poll reflects how these behaviors are perceived by the public. Six out of ten Americans, including a significant portion of Republicans, believe the president has become more impulsive as he ages. Overall, 61% of respondents described Trump as “someone who has shown significant behavioral changes with age.” The breakdown by political affiliation is revealing: 89% of Democrats, 30% of Republicans, and 64% of independents described him this way.

White House Defense Against Criticism

White House spokesperson Davis Ingle dismissed the poll results, calling them “baseless and desperate claims.” He stated that “Trump’s mental clarity, unmatched energy, and historic accessibility” set him apart from his Democratic predecessor. However, the numbers show a disconnect between this official narrative and public perception.

Trump’s overall popularity has remained relatively stable in recent months. About 40% of those surveyed in the latest poll approved of his performance as president, a two-point increase from earlier this month. Although he began his term with a significantly higher approval rating of 47%, his support has stayed in the current range since April 2025.

Political Age in Washington: A Systemic Issue

Beyond Trump, there is widespread concern about the age composition of U.S. political leadership. Most citizens believe that the country’s political leaders are too old to adequately represent the interests of the population. Approximately 79% of respondents agreed that “elected officials in Washington, D.C., are too old to represent most Americans.”

The average age in the U.S. Senate is around 64, while in the House of Representatives it is 58. Democratic voters expressed greater concern about this issue. 58% of Democrats surveyed felt that Chuck Schumer, the leading Democrat in the Senate at age 75, was too old to continue in office.

From the Biden Age Debate to Doubts About Trump

Ironically, Biden’s age was a key factor in Trump’s 2024 election victory. Critics argued that the former president had lost cognitive ability with age. Now, just a year later, polls suggest that citizens see similar issues in his successor.

Only 45% of respondents in February described Trump as “mentally sharp and capable of handling the challenges of the office,” compared to 54% who said so in a Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted in September 2023. This decline in perceived mental clarity reflects growing public concern, regardless of political affiliation.

Biden’s age, which was decisive in his departure from the presidential race, now reemerges as a central question about the capacity of American leadership to face current and future challenges.