During a Monday appearance on MSNBC, a former Obama administration official, David Plouffe, suggested that former President Donald Trump displayed “serious signs” of lacking the capacity to be President.
This statement came in the wake of President Joe Biden’s announcement to end his reelection bid and just over a week after a would-be assassin in Pennsylvania shot former President Trump.
“Let’s not forget, the biggest issue in this campaign was Joe Biden’s age. If Donald Trump gets elected, he’ll be older than Joe Biden on inauguration day,” Plouffe said on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.” “This guy is showing serious signs of unfitness, yes, in terms of character and the positions he holds, but in terms of his decline. He is really, really having trouble reading the teleprompter. He – obviously, the RNC speech was bad in tone, but he couldn’t follow instructions there. This should give us great pause.”
Read: Trump Rips Biden After Re-Election Bid Ends “President By Lies, Fake News”
Breaking down some recent events that counter Plouffe’s statement Monday:
Trump Vs. Biden Debate
Biden and Trump debated in Atlanta, with many Democrats praising Biden’s poor performance. Immediately following the debate, several former Democratic elected officials and political advisors suggested Biden should end his re-election bid.
From the outset, 81-year-old President Biden struggled to articulate his thoughts, frequently stumbling over his words, misspeaking, and losing his train of thought. In one particularly notable moment, Biden concluded a rambling statement by saying, “We finally beat Medicare,” leaving both the moderators and viewers puzzled.
Trump showed energy and was a bit more reserved than you may see at a rally, but quick on responses and appeared in great health.
“It is a sad reality that Biden is old, and he is getting older. We saw it. I had difficulties understanding what he was saying, and I understand English pretty well,” said a second European diplomat.
“Trump ate him alive,” said an Arab diplomat to CNN.
Attempted Trump Assassination
A CNN panel marveled at former President Donald Trump’s political standing following the failed assassination attempt against him, his legal victories, and more.
Trump survived the attempt on his life at his rally on June 13, 2024.
The former president, his ear covered in blood from what he said was a gunshot, was quickly covered by Secret Service agents and, when brought to his feet, threw his fist in the air, exclaiming, “Fight, fight, fight.”
Trump’s response to being shot was not only seen as defiance, but an act of strength and a rally call for unification and real change.
Read: Tampa Bay Rays’ Taylor Walls Celebrates With Trump-Inspired “Fight Fight”
Republican National Convention
The “Inside Politics With Dana Bash” panel said just days after Trump was shot that the Republican National Convention was starting while Trump was at his political peak.
“We find ourselves at the opening of this convention where Donald Trump is going to, for the third consecutive presidential cycle, be named his party standard bearer,” CNN political director David Chalian said. “And in this moment of having just survived an assassination attempt and now being totally vindicated by, I understand the district level judge here, in one of his key arguments, one of the two federal cases against him now thrown out, it’ll go on appeal. Obviously, Judge Cannon has been offering opinions that have been quite favorable to Donald Trump, who appointed her to the district court. And I imagine may be on a shortlist for other appointments should he become president.”
“You can’t paint, given that the former president is okay from the attack, from the shooting on the weekend, you can’t paint a better picture for Donald Trump to walk into this environment,” Chalian added. “It will be a hero’s welcome on this convention floor like we’ve never seen for a nominee before.”
Former President Donald Trump delivered a lengthy 92-minute speech at the Republican National Convention on Thursday.
Trump’s address was marked by his trademark style of confident declarations and sharp criticisms. He spoke extensively about his previous term, highlighting achievements in economic growth, job creation, and judicial appointments. He also took the opportunity to critique the Biden administration’s policies, focusing on issues such as immigration, inflation, and foreign policy.
Trump’s address reinforced his position as a central figure in the Republican Party and underscored the themes that will likely define his campaign.
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