Jill Biden Blasts 'Ridiculous' Idea of Testing Joe's Mental Capacity

First lady Jill Biden stated on Sunday that it was "ridiculous" to contemplate Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley's request to impose mental competency tests for lawmakers over 75, implying that President Joe Biden would never submit to such a test.

Jill Biden stated that she and her husband, who at age 80 is the nation's oldest commander-in-chief and would be 82 during his inauguration if reelected, would never address such a topic.

Joe Biden Challenged to Take Competency Test

The first lady reacted, "Ridiculous," when questioned about Haley's proposal in an interview excerpt that aired Sunday on CNN's 'State of the Union.'

Jill Biden, whose complete interview will run on Monday at 9 p.m., cited the President's surprise travel to Ukraine last month to meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky to commemorate the anniversary of Russia's invasion as evidence of the chief executive's resilience.

Haley, a former US ambassador to the United Nations, proposed competency tests to older politicians when she announced her candidacy for the 2024 Republican nomination last month, clearly referring to Biden and GOP former President Donald Trump, who is 76 years old and has already re-entered the race.

"We cannot win the struggle for the 21st century if we continue to rely on politicians from the 20th century," said the former governor of South Carolina. Trump declared in November that he would run for re-election, supported and expanded Haley's mental-test idea, as per NY Post.

In previously released interview excerpts, Jill Biden said she is "all for" her husband running for President in 2024 and cited his recent nine-hour train journey from Poland to Ukraine The 44-year-old governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis, is also likely to enter the Grand Old Party race.

Biden Intends to Run in 2024 Election

According to Strait Times, Joe Biden has declared his intention to run in 2024 but has yet to decide. His wife is said to be his closest confidante in the White House. Joe Biden has highlighted his family or an unexpected occurrence, such as a health catastrophe, as possible deterrents to a future candidacy.

In the run-up to 2024, Joe Biden has faced criticism and Republican accusations over his age. In a February interview, he stated, "It's legitimate for people to raise issues about my age."

The President's physician stated on February 16 that Joe Biden is "healthy" and "vigorous" following a routine physical. On Friday, the White House said that a malignant skin lesion had been removed from Joe Biden's chest at his yearly checkup, necessitating no more treatment.

Others have criticized Haley's idea, citing that she set the age at 75 when the leading Republican presidential contender, former President Donald Trump, is 76. Per Daily Mail, independent Vermont senator Bernie Sanders criticized it as "absurd" and the plan as "ageist."