Tue Sep 10 15:46:09 UTC 2024: ## Trump’s Age and Ability to Answer Questions Becoming a Campaign Issue: NYT Reporter
**WASHINGTON, D.C.** – New York Times reporter Peter Baker has asserted that former President Donald Trump’s age and capacity to answer questions are emerging as significant issues in the presidential campaign. Baker, speaking on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” on Tuesday, referenced Trump’s recent meandering answers, particularly on child-care costs, as evidence of his age affecting his ability to formulate coherent responses.
Baker’s comments come ahead of Tuesday evening’s presidential debate between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, hosted by ABC News. With Biden out of the race, the debate will offer a direct comparison of Trump’s performance to Harris, who at 59, is significantly younger.
“He is now the oldest person on stage, and he won’t have Joe Biden’s issues to distract from your point of view of his own,” Baker stated, pointing out that unlike the previous debate where Biden’s perceived struggles with clarity drew attention away from Trump’s performance, the spotlight will be squarely on Trump this time. He further emphasized that Trump, if elected, would be the oldest president in U.S. history, and his recent “bizarre tangents” and “hard-to-understand statements” raise concerns about his cognitive abilities.
The debate could be particularly revealing, with both candidates facing the pressure of unscripted, live interactions. While Trump’s energetic persona and loud delivery may mask some of his “mangled verbiage,” Baker warns that viewers will likely notice his incomplete sentences and thoughts.
With Harris currently leading Trump in polls, the debate holds significant importance for both candidates. Trump will need to demonstrate his capacity to engage in a nuanced debate while Harris will have to capitalize on the opportunity to showcase her own strengths.
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