Donald Trump has expressed feeling more sharper now than 20 years ago in response to recent attacks about his age and verbal missteps by Republican presidential opponent Nikki Haley.
Trump suggested that presidential candidates undergo cognitive testing, likely in reaction to Haley’s proposal, which highlights concerns about Trump’s age, 77, and that of Democratic President Joe Biden, 81.
Speaking at a Nevada rally before the upcoming Republican caucus on Feb. 8, Trump faced accusations from Haley of being disoriented and unfit for the presidency due to his age.
Trump has made recent verbal errors, including confusing Haley with former Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and suggesting former Democratic President Barack Obama is still in office.
Trump’s delegate advantage and Haley’s persistence
With Haley not contesting the Nevada caucus, Trump is likely to secure all 26 delegates, enabling him to focus on sidelining Haley and gaining momentum for a potential rematch with Biden in November.
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Despite back-to-back wins in Iowa and New Hampshire, Trump remains frustrated by Haley’s refusal to withdraw from the race and has launched efforts to compel her exit before the South Carolina primary on Feb. 24.
Haley reaffirmed her commitment to campaign beyond South Carolina.
After Trump’s speech, Haley accused him of being “confused” and challenged him to a debate as the ultimate test of mental acuity for presidential candidates.
Donald Trump declined to participate in Republican nominating debates and refused to debate Haley.
Trump, during his Nevada speech, labeled Haley “birdbrain” and accused her, a conservative Republican, of aligning with left-leaning Democrats.
Trump said his determination to conclude the nomination fight, leading Haley in South Carolina polls with no clear path to nomination for her.
Trump’s New Hampshire victory and Biden’s response
Following Trump’s New Hampshire primary win, the Biden campaign declared, “It is evident that Donald Trump will be the Republican nominee.”
Turning to Biden, Trump emphasized immigration issues and the southern border crisis, denouncing illegal crossings as a “catastrophe” and an “invasion.”
Meanwhile, Biden and his campaign intensified attacks on Trump, branding him a threat to U.S. democracy and linking him to the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to end federal abortion rights, a factor that hurt Republicans during the 2022 midterm elections.