Vice President Kamala Harris has been expressing increasing doubts about the capacity of former President Donald Trump to manage the pressures of another term in the presidency. This comes as she attempts to highlight the age difference between herself and Trump.
Harris, turning 60 this weekend, mentioned to reporters in Grand Rapids, Michigan, that Trump’s team has indicated he is experiencing fatigue. “If he’s exhausted on the campaign trail, is he fit to do the job?” questioned Harris. She drew attention to a Politico report that suggested several scheduled Trump interviews had been canceled due to the 78-year-old Republican nominee’s exhaustion. However, a spokesperson from Trump’s campaign denied these claims to Politico, labeling them as false.
Harris characterized the question of Trump’s fitness to serve as a legitimate concern, especially if he is struggling with the rigors of campaigning. Trump, on the other hand, has yet to disclose his recent medical records, insisting that they have already been released.
Despite this, his campaign maintains that he is in optimal health for the presidency. In 2023, Trump provided a letter from his osteopathic doctor stating his excellent overall health. The document did not reveal specific details about his vitals or medications.
In response to questions about the completeness of his medical records, Trump challenged Harris to take a cognitive test. “I’ve given my health exams. I’ve also done cognitive tests twice, and I’ve aced them,” he stated, adding that he has been campaigning for 48 consecutive days without rest and doesn’t feel tired. If Trump wins the upcoming election, he would be the oldest individual to take office.
Harris, on the other hand, recently released a letter from her doctor confirming her excellent health and the physical and mental resilience necessary for the presidency. Her doctor highlighted that she had no history of severe medical conditions, though she has been receiving treatment for allergies and hives.
Over 230 health professionals, most of whom support Harris, have requested Trump to disclose his medical records, citing concerns about his declining acuity. Without detailed records, they argue, it’s necessary to draw conclusions based on public appearances.
Caitlin Huey-Burns and Nidia Cavazos contributed to this report.
