Biden laughs off Trump's attacks on his cognitive ability, tells Trump, voters: 'Watch me'


When ABC News anchor David Muir asked Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden about the "blistering attacks we've seen from President Trump this week alone on your mental fitness, whether you're up for the job," Biden laughed. "Watch me. Mr. President, watch me," Biden said, in a joint interview with running mate Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) that aired Sunday night.
"Look at us both, what we say, what we do, what we control, what we know, what kind of shape we're in," Biden said. "Come on. This is, look, I think it's a legitimate question to ask anybody over 70 years old whether or not they're fit and whether they're ready. But I just, only thing I can say to the American people, it's a legitimate question to ask anybody. Watch me." Biden, who at 77 is the age Ronald Reagan was when he left office, "absolutely" did not rule out serving two terms if elected and said he "can't wait" to debate Trump.
Parrying other charges Trump and other Republicans are likely to make at this weeks Republican National Convention, Biden noted he has never proposed to "defund" the police — in fact, "I think they need more help, they need more assistance," he said, pointing at Trump's proposed cuts to local law enforcement in his 2021 budget: "So the only guy that actually put in a bill to actually defund the police is Donald Trump" — and won't raise taxes on "mom and pop" businesses or anyone earning under $400,000 a year.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Biden also said he wants Harris to be the kind of vice president he was to President Obama. "I want you to be the last person in the room on every major decision," he said. "I know she will not be intimidated by the Oval Office. I know she'll not be reluctant to tell me exactly what she thinks."
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
‘Extraordinary asymmetry’: the history of Israeli prisoner swaps
In The Spotlight Exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian detainees is the latest in a series of trades in which Israeli lives appear to count for more
-
October 14 editorial cartoons
Cartoons Tuesday's political cartoons include peace in Palestine, government playoffs, and barking up Pam Bondi's tree
-
Taking the low road: why the SNP is still standing strong
Talking Point Party is on track for a fifth consecutive victory in May’s Holyrood election, despite controversies and plummeting support
-
Trump DOJ indicts New York AG Letitia James
Speed Read New York Attorney General Letitia James was indicted as Trump’s Justice Department pursues charges against his political opponents
-
Judge blocks Trump’s Guard deployment in Chicago
Speed Read The president is temporarily blocked from federalizing the Illinois National Guard or deploying any Guard units in the state
-
Trump urges jail for Illinois, Chicago leaders
Speed Read The Texas National Guard begin operations in the Chicago area
-
Bondi stonewalls on Epstein, Comey in Senate face-off
Speed Read Attorney General Pam Bondi denied charges of using the Justice Department in service of Trump’s personal vendettas
-
Court allows Trump’s Texas troops to head to Chicago
Speed Read Trump is ‘using our service members as pawns in his illegal effort to militarize our nation’s cities,’ said Gov. J.B. Pritzker
-
Judge bars Trump’s National Guard moves in Oregon
Speed Read In an emergency hearing, a federal judge blocked President Donald Trump from sending National Guard troops into Portland
-
Museum head ousted after Trump sword gift denial
Speed Read Todd Arrington, who led the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum, denied the Trump administration a sword from the collection as a gift for King Charles
-
Trump declares ‘armed conflict’ with drug cartels
speed read This provides a legal justification for recent lethal military strikes on three alleged drug trafficking boats