Former President Donald Trump recently commented that “only stupid people put old people” in positions on the Supreme Court. Ironically, Trump himself is 78 years old and is running for the highest office in the U.S. government again. If elected, he would be 82 years old by the end of his term.
While President Joe Biden has often faced scrutiny over his age, Trump has also been criticized for his advanced years. As the oldest nominee for president in U.S. history, doubts have been raised about his ability to serve, especially if he wins and completes another term.
During an interview, Trump spoke about his success in appointing three Supreme Court justices during his time in office, something he proudly highlighted. “It’s amazing, because I got three in four years. Most people get none,” he said, referring to Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett. Trump noted that he appointed younger justices, with the average age being 50, compared to the historical average of 60.
Trump emphasized, “Only stupid people put old [judges in the Supreme Court]. You know, you don’t put old in, because they’re there for two years or three years, right?”
Trump’s appointees helped solidify a conservative majority in the Supreme Court, resulting in significant changes, including the landmark overturning of Roe vs Wade, which previously protected the right to abortion.
When the interviewer brought up Trump’s own age, he brushed it off and redirected the conversation back to his Supreme Court appointments. “So, I got three,” he responded. “A lot of presidents get none, I got three. And, uh, I think they’ve been three great choices too, by the way.”
Questions about Trump’s mental fitness have surfaced in recent years, especially following his lengthy and often meandering speeches during rallies. Some observers have noted moments where he seemed to ignore or miss questions, and during a recent town hall event, he appeared to sway on stage instead of answering questions directly.
Clinical psychologist Dr. Ben Michaelis commented on Trump’s mental state, suggesting he may not be in “a strong cognitive place.” He explained a phenomenon called “sundowning,” where individuals with dementia struggle more with focus as the day progresses. Dr. Michaelis remarked, “It’s very difficult for them to maintain focus on a topic…you wouldn’t think twice about it if that was your grandfather. It’s just he happens to be running for president.”
