74 years old, 82 years old, and 82 years old. Those are the ages of the last three US presidents on their final day in office. President Trump ended his first term at 74; President Biden ended his term at 82; and President Trump will end his second term at 82. According to the US Government, specifically under the Medicaid Program, someone becomes a senior citizen when they turn 65 years old. \ With presidents stumbling over words, falling asleep during ceremonies, and falling on stairs, many wonder if it is time to implement an age cap for presidents. After all, we have a minimum age requirement (35) to run for president.
Both serious discussions and internet jokes have raised questions about the need for an age cap. Specifically with President Trump and Biden, viral internet posts have made fun of geriatric politicians. Videos of President Biden freezing up during speeches and debates have gone viral on TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram. More recently, videos of President Trump sleeping during meetings in the White House and falling up the stairs on his plane have surfaced. These viral videos mock the cognitive and physical abilities of our nation’s leaders. While these videos can be amusing, they shed light on a crucial discussion. Aging presidents could pose a risk to national security and stability.
Arguments Against Age Caps
A widely beloved candidate, who promotes and actualizes successful progress, wants to run for a second term as president. Almost everyone in the United States loves this candidate. During their first term, they kept America safe, improved the quality of life, and made significant contributions to the country’s future. They are both physically and cognitively sharp, but turn 70 just a few weeks before the election. If a new cap were implemented that prevented anyone from running after the age of 70, this strong candidate would be ineligible to run. This rule could directly prevent a great candidate from running.
Arguments for Age Caps
According to a study conducted by the National Institute of Health, cognitive decline most often occurs around the age of 70. I want the person leading my country to be in the best possible position to make good decisions. The president controls the usage of nuclear weapons, maintains relations with foreign countries, and influences many other important decisions. I hope there are systems in place to ensure that our president is as prepared as possible to make such important decisions. An age cap for the president could significantly decrease the chance of the president suffering from cognitive decline while in office. While it may not seem significant, symptoms of cognitive decline, such as memory loss and difficulty with complex tasks, could hinder the president when it matters most. In 2023, then-Representative George Santos proposed the Executive Mental Competency Protection Act, which included provisions for mental competency tests. Santos stated, “Regardless of political affiliation, this should be a common-sense and bipartisan agreement that when a man or a woman becomes President, they submit to an annual cognitive evaluation.”
