The US first lady says Joe Biden will never take a mental competency test

WASHINGTON: US President Joe Biden will not undergo a mental competency test, and the idea of ​​getting politicians over the age of 75 to do so is “ridiculous,” said First Lady Jill Biden.

In February, former US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley announced her candidacy for the 2024 presidential election. In her first speech as a presidential candidate, Haley proposed a mandatory competency test for politicians over 75, which was seen as a taunt against Biden and ex-President Donald Trump, Haley’s rivals in the Republican primary.

“Ridiculous … We would never discuss something like that,” Sputnik quoted Biden as saying to CNN when asked if her husband would consider taking such a test if he were re-elected in 2024.

The First Lady brushed off concerns about her husband’s age, citing his busy travel schedule, including recent trips to Poland and Ukraine.

“How many 30-year-olds could travel to Poland, get on the train? Go nine hours, go to Ukraine, meet President (Volodymyr) Zelenskyy? Biden added.

Biden turned 80 in November 2022. He was the oldest person inducted into office, taking the oath of office at the age of 78. If Biden seeks re-election in 2024 and wins the race, he will be 86 years old before completing a second term as president. The President previously said he would be open with the American people and would tell them about his health problems if he had any. -Bernama