Former first lady Jill Biden said her husband was “slowing down” as he sought reelection in 2024 but rejected claims that former President Joe Biden was experiencing cognitive decline before abandoning his bid for a second term following a disastrous debate performance. In an interview aired Sunday on CBS News’s Sunday Morning, Jill Biden acknowledged concerns about her husband’s age while defending his fitness for office during the campaign that ultimately ended with his withdrawal from the race.“He was the same, the essence of the same Joe Biden, but yeah, he was slowing down,” Jill Biden said. “He was getting older. It’s a very intense job. I think it ages you, quickly. Look at the other presidents. I mean, in comparison, when they started in office and got out of office. It was natural aging.”
The comments come nearly two years after Joe Biden’s June 2024 debate against President Donald Trump, a performance that intensified questions about the then-81-year-old president’s age, stamina, and ability to serve another four-year term.
During the debate, Joe Biden frequently lost his train of thought, stumbled over answers, and appeared hoarse, fueling concerns among voters and party leaders.
