Between Ageism and Global Stability

John Parisella takes a step back from what is making news in the U.S. to better understand the issues emerging from the race for the White House.

Given the strong likelihood of a rematch between Joe Biden and Donald Trump this presidential election year, two major developments have recently garnered attention. First, the report by Special Counsel Robert Hur on Biden’s handling of classified documents following his term as vice president in 2017. Second, former President Trump’s shocking remarks regarding NATO and its future.

It appears that the battle for the nomination of the two big parties will take shape very soon with only Biden and Trump in the running, even if most recent polls show that the majority of American voters want another option.

Biden’s Age

The recent report by Hur exonerated President Biden from prosecution over his handling of confidential documents. But what is remembered most is how he presented Biden as an old man with a bad memory. The special counsel highlighted that the president failed to remember the dates of his term as vice president and that he had even forgotten the date his son Beau had died.

Biden’s response was swift. He angrily appeared before the press and denounced the special counsel’s motives. Republicans took advantage of the report to attack Biden even though, contrary to Trump in his own case related to the possession of classified documents, he will not be charged.

The issue of Biden’s age has undoubtedly caused a stir among Democrats, who underscore Trump’s own lapses of memory and coherence. He recently confused the name of his opponent, Nikki Haley, with that of former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, while addressing security during the events of Jan. 6, 2021.

Despite the testimony of several members of the Biden administration leadership and staff about the White House occupant’s mental acuity, a majority of Democrats remain nevertheless concerned about his age and his on-camera gait.

Biden is 81, and Trump will be 78 on Election Day. Republican candidate Haley* regularly alludes to their age and the need for generational change at the head of American government. It is certainly possible that both Biden and Trump will have other moments that will contribute to maintaining ageism as a central — perhaps decisive — factor of the election campaign.

Trump and the World Order

In the course of this bad news cycle regarding Biden’s age, Trump called into question whether the U.S. would maintain its commitment to NATO. The former president’s main concern was Article 5, which establishes the principle of collective defense among the 31 member states, and he stressed the importance it accords to a defense contribution equivalent to 2% of their respective GDP. What’s more, Trump then went on to invite Russia to feel free to act against these “delinquent” countries as it sees fit.

While war continues to rage in Ukraine, these shocking remarks brought consternation throughout the NATO member states, particularly those within the European Union.

Among alliance member states who support Ukraine’s continued commitment to the fight against Russia’s invasion, Trump’s vision raises serious concerns.

In the U.S. Senate, a bipartisan coalition of 48 Democrats and 22 Republicans passed a $60 billion financial aid package in support of Ukraine. The House of Representatives, under the leadership of Speaker Mike Johnson, loyal to Trump and the MAGA wing, has refused to take up the pro-Ukraine resolution.

Traditionally, American elections are highly influenced by internal issues like the economy. But with active conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza and the fear of reinforcing the ongoing polarization between the West and the duo of China and Russia, the stability of the world order is becoming of the utmost importance.

Despite the question of ageism in the news, this could undoubtedly emerge as a major issue in the 2024 presidential election.

Editor’s Note: Nikki Haley suspended her campaign Wednesday, March 6, after Donald Trump swept all but one state on Super Tuesday.