Kamala Harris dey celebrate her 60th birthday dis Sunday, but na her opponent, Donald Trump, wey dey face scrutiny over im age. Dis come after Trump do some rambling speeches and one unusual dance event. Harris, wey be de Democratic vice president, don increase her criticism on Trump’s mental acuity, especially since Trump be de oldest presidential candidate in US history at 78 years old.
“Donald Trump dey become increasingly erratic,” Harris talk on Wednesday, referencing one incident where Trump spend almost 40 minutes on stage dancing to music at a town hall gathering. Harris no go take break from her campaign activities to celebrate her birthday because both she and Trump dey focus on key battleground states wey go determine de outcome of de November 5 election.
Harris’s rise to de forefront of de Democratic ticket happen after 81-year-old President Joe Biden withdraw following a poor debate performance against Trump. Biden’s replacement by a vice president two decades younger give de party’s chances a boost, as Harris start to close de gap with Trump in de polls. Shortly after Biden’s exit, Trump acknowledge dis change, saying, “She is younger… I mean, she’s 60 years old… I didn’t realize she was 60. I thought she was a little younger. But she is 60.”
With polling numbers stagnant for several weeks, Harris has been using de age issue against Trump. On October 12, she release her own medical report, saying she dey in “excellent health” and fit for de presidency, with only minor health concerns like seasonal allergies and hives. She has been challenging Trump for not disclosing similar information. Trump, on de other hand, has been relying on a note from his previous White House doctor issued last year, asserting his stamina through his campaign.
Harris’s campaign has raised doubts about Trump’s capability to serve a second term, pointing to his lack of transparency regarding his medical history and numerous canceled interviews and political engagements. “What is Donald Trump trying to hide?” Harris ask on X. Her campaign also highlight Trump’s increasingly erratic and dark speeches, including one where he suggest using de US military against what he call “enemy from within.”
Polls indicate dat dis issue dey resonate strongly with voters. According to Pew Research Center data, de percentage of people wey describe Trump as “mentally sharp” drop from 58% in July to 52% in September. While 49% of voters believe Trump’s age could harm his campaign, 46% think Harris’s age could be advantageous for hers. However, navigating dis issue dey complex, especially in an election where de age of voters play a significant role. Harris enjoy robust support among younger voters, but older voters, who might be receptive to her critiques of Trump’s age, tend to favor him instead.
Furthermore, Harris also face age-related biases, according to Nancy Hirschmann, a professor of American social thought at de University of Pennsylvania. “Her age does have an effect in one sense, in that, de sexism of America really is for sure on older women,” Hirschmann tell AFP. Trump’s running mate, J.D. Vance, has come under fire for past remarks in which he label prominent Democrats as “childless cat ladies” and seem to concur with disparaging comments about post-menopausal women. In contrast, Harris be stepmother to two children from her marriage to “Second Gentleman” Doug Emhoff.
