How old is too old to be President?

Also: Biden on TikTok, digital body language, and Gen A is coming

The age of the presidential candidates dominated cable news and mainstream media this week, after a report by the special council investigating President Biden’s handling of classified documents characterized him as an “elderly man” with “significant limitations” when it comes to memory. 

In a TikTok video the Biden campaign shook off the accusations off as “potshots against his age.” At the same time, the campaign is trying to make the case that former President Trump often gets confused and incoherent.

A new ABC News/Ipsos poll revealed the majority of Americans think Biden, 81, and Trump, 77, are both too old to serve second terms. 86% think Biden is too old to be President again and 62% say Trump is too old for the job. Only one in ten Americans (11%) say that neither is too old to serve another term. 

While Trump is only four years younger than Biden, the president appears older and more frail than Trump and voters have consistently expressed greater concern about his age.  

Politico asked strategists what Biden can do to alleviate concerns that he’s too old to serve. Results range from confronting the issue head on, to shifting the conversation to something else. 

Nikki Haley, Trump’s rival for the Republican nomination, has called for mandatory cognitive tests for politicians over the age of 75.

All of this suggests age, mental clarity and physical fitness will continue to dominate the 2024 election cycle, whether the candidates like it or not. 

What do you think? Are the candidates too old to serve as president? And is there a double standard being applied to President Biden’s age? 

“Lol hey guys” - Biden joins TikTok 

Yes, that’s the caption of the Biden campaign’s first TikTok, featuring the President answering cringy, rapid-fire questions about the Super Bowl. His re-election campaign  joined TikTok in an effort to reach younger voters, despite previously warning about national security concerns surrounding the app. Donning a “Dark Brandon” profile pic, the account posts content ranging from videos defending Biden’s age to anti-Trump Valentine’s memes.

Is the Biden campaign’s TikTok account is a smart move, or does it come across like: 

About that bread 

On the radar

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Give good DBL? 

Hinge, the online dating app, released its first report on top dating trends and tips among Gen Z, and they offer some tips on how to improve your “digital body language.” (via NBC) And if a good credit score is what you are looking for in a partner, what is not to love about this new app? (via Financial Times)

🥤 Is Stanleymania bad for the planet? 

Things originally marketed to be sustainable — can morph into a catalyst for simply buying more, potentially canceling out environmental benefits. (via New York Times)

🅰️ The future of work depends on understanding Gen Alpha now

Gen Alpha is now the largest generation in history, with nearly two billion people around the world. With the oldest now 14 years old, they’re set to disrupt culture, the economy, and our workplaces, presenting a huge opportunity to those who understand them. (via Fast Company)

Gen Z in the spotlight

⭐ Teens of refugees empowered to fight justice

A non-profit started by the teen daughters of Cambodian refugees gives Southeast Asian American youth the leadership training to become politically empowered and advocate for themselves and their communities... (via The 19th) 

⭐ Teen Vogue’s election strategy: student correspondents 

Nobody understands young voters the way other young people do. (via Teen Vogue)

⭐ How Pakistan’s youth delivered the biggest election surprise in the country in half a century

Imran Khan’s success was fueled by social media, which drove Pakistan’s young people to turn out to vote and rebuff the country’s powerful military (via Washington Post)

More from Zivvy

Thanks for reading!

We are looking forward to hearing from you as we build our community. Reply to this email, drop us a note here, or slide into our DMs with your thoughts. And don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and TikTok for more news.