As questions arise about President Biden's age and fitness for office, some are arguing he is aging in reverse.

At 81, is Biden too old? Questions continue over whether he can last another four-year term and over his cognitive decline.

Dana Perino rips doctors who argue Biden is aging backwards: ‘Preposterous’https://t.co/p83O0gWq1S

— Grapes (@p1ekdtoacm) January 8, 2024

The background

This election cycle, marked by Biden's status as the oldest president in U.S. history, has fueled debates on age-related issues.

Some doctors are claiming that while aging comes with challenges, it is not without its merits. Cognitive abilities such as verbal memory, inductive reasoning, and vocabulary often improve with age, crucial for effective decision-making.

While "fluid intelligence" may decline, "crystallized intelligence" and "tacit knowledge" increase, contributing to well-informed decision-making.

Issues showing

Tensions have arisen within President Biden's team as he, at age 81, downplays his physical limitations, prompting senior aides and First Lady Jill Biden to get more involved.

Despite Biden's impressive energy levels for his age, his insistence on feeling much younger draws skepticism from some aides and raises concerns about his self-perception.

In private conversations, Biden often expresses sentiments like "I feel so much younger than my age," highlighting a challenge in managing his schedule and energy for his re-election campaign. Voter concerns about his ability to fulfill the role until 2029, when he'll be 86, make effective schedule management crucial.

Public gaffes

Current and former aides reveal that Biden tends to push for more travel and events than they deem advisable. This dynamic occasionally results in a cycle where he exhausts himself, leading to visible fatigue during public appearances, and heightening concerns about his age.

First Lady Jill Biden and her team actively participate in shaping the president's daily schedule. Jill emphasizes the importance of rest and dietary improvements, a practice dating back to the end of Biden's vice presidency, where she worked to ensure balance amid a demanding schedule.

Biden, recalling the period, noted in his memoir, "Promise Me, Dad," how Jill and his then-chief of staff, Steve Ricchetti, conspired to persuade him to ease off due to exhaustion. Jill's role in influencing the president's calendar is uncommon but has historical parallels, with Nancy Reagan similarly monitoring Ronald Reagan's schedule.

Polls indicate that over 70% of voters harbor concerns about Biden serving a second term due to his age. The president has expressed frustration with perceptions of his age, asserting in April, "With regard to age, I can't even say, I guess, how old I am, I can't even say the number. It doesn't register with me."

Concerns continue to grow as Biden deals with age-related issues and voters argue over his ability to lead in the future.