Faced with the high probability of a resumption of the electoral duel between Joe Biden and Donald Trump in this presidential election year in the United States, two important developments have recently captured attention. These are, on the one hand, the report of special prosecutor Robert Hur relating to the management of confidential documents by Biden following his mandate as vice-president in 2017, and, on the other hand, the shocking remarks of former President Trump on NATO and its future.
It appears that the fight for the nomination of the two major American parties will materialize very soon, with only Biden and Trump in the running on either side, even if the most recent polls indicate that the majority of voters Americans want another option.
Biden’s age
Prosecutor Robert Hur’s recent report exonerated President Biden from a lawsuit over his handling of classified documents. However, we rather remember his way of presenting Biden as an elderly man with a bad memory. The prosecutor pointed out that Biden did not remember the date of his service as vice president of the United States and that he even forgot the date of his son Beau’s death.
Biden’s reaction was not long in coming. He stood before the press in anger and blasted the special prosecutor’s motives. Republicans took the opportunity to attack Biden even though, unlike Trump in his own case relating to the handling of confidential documents, he will not be prosecuted.
No doubt, the question of Biden’s age created a stir among Democrats, who in turn highlighted Trump’s failures in terms of memory and inconsistency. The latter had in fact just mixed the name of his rival Nikki Haley with that of the former Democratic President of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi, when evoking responsibility for security during the events of January 6, 2021.
Despite testimonies from several leaders and collaborators of the Biden administration about the intellectual acuity of the occupant of the White House, a majority of Democrats nevertheless remain concerned about his age and his approach in front of the cameras.
Joe Biden is 81, and Donald Trump will be 78 on Election Day. Republican candidate Nikki Haley regularly mentions their age and the need for a generational change at the head of the American government. Certainly, it is possible that Biden and Trump will be involved in other moments that will help maintain ageism as one of the central – and perhaps decisive – elements of the electoral campaign.
PHOTO SEAN RAYFORD, THE NEW YORK TIMES
Donald Trump, likely Republican presidential candidate
Trump and the world order
During this bad news cycle about Biden’s age, Trump questioned whether the United States could continue its engagement in NATO. The former president thus particularly touched on Article 5, which establishes a principle of collective defense within all 31 member countries, and underlined the importance he attaches to a defense contribution equivalent to 2% of their respective GDP. Even more, Trump continued by inviting Russia to feel free to act against these “delinquent” countries if it deems it necessary.
While the war is still raging in Ukraine, these shocking remarks have caused consternation in all NATO member countries, and particularly within the European Union.
Among the member countries of the alliance which support Ukraine in continuing its commitment against the Russian invasion, Trump’s vision raises serious concerns.
Remember that the American Senate, made up of a bipartisan coalition (48 Democrats and 22 Republicans), adopted financial aid of 60 billion in support of Ukraine. The House of Representatives, under the leadership of its Speaker Mike Johnson, loyal to Trump and the MAGA wing, refused to deal with this pro-Ukraine resolution.
Traditionally, American elections are heavily influenced by domestic issues such as the economy. However, with the active conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza and the fear of reinforcing the continued polarization between the West and the duo formed by China and Russia, the stability of the world order is becoming a subject of primary importance.
This could undoubtedly emerge as a major issue in the 2024 presidential election, despite the presence of the issue of ageism in the news.
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reference: www.lapresse.ca