President Joe Biden expressed confidence in his chances of winning against former President Donald Trump in 2024 and addressed concerns about his age on Wednesday, a day after making his re-election bid official.
Asked by reporters at a news conference with South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol what he would say to Americans who raised concerns about his age in recent polls, Biden, 80, said his age it does not register with it.
“I can’t even tell I guess how old I am, I can’t even tell the number. No, it doesn’t register me,» Biden said from the Rose Garden of the White House. “I looked at it carefully before deciding to apply. And I’m feeling good».
“As far as age, you know, and the polling data, I noticed the polling data that I keep hearing is that I’m 42-46% favorable,” Biden said. “Everyone running for re-election in this time has been in the same position. There is nothing new in that.»
Asked if he thinks he can beat Trump, Biden noted that he’s done it before, adding: «I may not be the only one, but I know him well.»
Biden officially launched his 2024 re-election bid with a video message Tuesday, ending months of speculation about his political plans.
In it video Titled «Freedom,» which begins with a scene from the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, followed by an image of an abortion rights protest, the president said that after spending his first term fighting for the country’s democracy, «MAGA extremists are lining up» to cut the social safety net and take away personal liberties.
In recent months, the president had faced scrutiny over his age from political opponents and voters as he hinted he would run again. He previously dismissed those concerns, responding «look at me» when asked about his fitness for the job.
A NBC News poll published this month found that 70% of Americans, including 51% of Democrats, said he should not run for a second term. Nearly half of those who said Biden should not run cited his age as a «main» reason.
If he wins re-election next year and serves a second term, Biden would turn 82 just weeks after Election Day and leave office at 86.