Biden V Trump: The 'Age-Old' Debate
As the 2024 presidential election approaches, the public grapples with questions about the cognitive health of the two major candidates, raising concerns about their ability to lead.
The Facts:
The upcoming 2024 presidential election has raised significant concerns about the health and cognitive abilities of the two major candidates, former President Donald Trump and current President Joe Biden.
At 78 and 81 years old, respectively, they would be the oldest individuals to ever hold the office of the presidency. Both candidates have been observed exhibiting signs of potential cognitive decline, such as verbal stumbles, word retrieval issues, and confusion over names and dates. This has led to widespread public scrutiny and demands for greater transparency regarding their health records.
Experts in the fields of neuroscience, psychology, and geriatric medicine caution that the public discourse on this issue has been largely devoid of scientific facts. They emphasize that aging is a complex process, and cognitive decline is not a universal or linear phenomenon. In fact, they note that emotional stability, judgment, and life experience can improve with age, potentially offsetting some of the age-related changes in memory and processing speed.
"The really important thing to keep in mind is that the older brain's a wiser brain. Knowledge and experience count for a lot, and that can make up for slight losses of memory as a result of aging."
- Earl Miller, a professor of neuroscience at MIT
The experts also reject the notion of imposing arbitrary age limits on the presidency, arguing that a thorough, holistic assessment of a candidate's cognitive and physical health is more appropriate. The evaluation of a candidate's mental fitness is a complex task that requires in-depth neuropsychological testing, which can involve memory tests, cognitive assessments, and an analysis of overall functioning.
Allison Sekuler, a professor of psychology at the University of Toronto, caution against making diagnoses based on limited public information or media reports, as cognitive performance can fluctuate throughout the day and be influenced by various factors, such as depression, dehydration, or vitamin deficiencies.
Interestingly, both Biden and Trump have claimed to have undergone cognitive tests, but have provided limited or no details about the results. The Biden administration has released a summary of the president's physical health, but did not include any cognitive assessments. Trump, on the other hand, has made vague references to passing such tests, but has not provided any substantive information to the public.
The Lancet, a respected medical journal, has called for the creation of a standardized system for sharing information about the health of presidents and presidential candidates, arguing that this would demonstrate a true commitment to the well-being of the nation's leaders.
However, with all of this being said, both Biden and Trump have been public figures for decades. And voters may feel that they have enough information to make their own assessments.
The View:
The issue of the presidential candidates' cognitive health is a matter of grave importance to every American citizen. The fact that the two major party nominees are the oldest individuals to ever seek the presidency is a significant cause for concern, and the public deserves to have a clear and transparent understanding of their mental fitness to lead the country.
While it is true that aging is a complex process and that cognitive decline is not a universal or linear phenomenon, the observed signs of potential cognitive issues in both Biden and Trump are deeply troubling. Verbal stumbles, word retrieval problems, and confusion over basic facts are not simply "senior moments," but could be indicative of more serious underlying conditions that could impair their ability to effectively execute the duties of the presidency.
The refusal of both candidates to provide comprehensive and objective information about their cognitive health is a disservice to the American people. The public has a right to know the mental acuity of those who seek to lead the nation, and the lack of transparency from the candidates is a concerning display of political manoeuvring and a disregard for the wellbeing of the electorate.
Moreover, the ageism and dismissiveness that has permeated the public discourse on this issue is deeply troubling. The aforementioned experts make a compelling case that emotional stability, judgment, and life experience can be assets in leadership, and that cognitive decline is not a foregone conclusion of aging.
However, this nuanced understanding has been largely absent from the media coverage and political rhetoric. It is imperative that we move beyond the partisan bickering and misinformation that has dominated this conversation.
The American people deserve a clear, objective, and scientific assessment of the candidates' cognitive health, one that is conducted by independent medical professionals and made available to the public. Anything less is a betrayal of the democratic process and a total neglect of the responsibility to ensure the wellbeing of the nation.
TLDR:
The 2024 presidential candidates, Donald Trump and Joe Biden, are the oldest individuals to ever seek the presidency.
Both candidates have exhibited signs of potential cognitive decline, such as verbal stumbles, word retrieval issues, and confusion over names and dates.
Experts caution against making diagnoses based on limited public information, as cognitive performance can be influenced by various factors.
There is a call for a standardized system for sharing information about the health of presidents and presidential candidates, to ensure transparency and accountability.
Both Biden and Trump have claimed to have undergone cognitive tests, but have provided limited or no details about the results.
The public discourse has been criticized for its lack of scientific facts and for dismissing the potential benefits of age, such as emotional stability, judgment, and life experience.
The American people deserve a clear, objective, and scientific assessment of the candidates' cognitive health, conducted by independent medical professionals and made available to the public.
Know More:
Voters should be alarmed about Trump, Biden cognitive function: Neurologist | Morning in America
Insights From:
What science tells us about Biden, Trump and evaluating an aging brain - The Washington Post