(The Hill) — CNN host Chris Wallace said that questions about former President Trump’s physical state, well-being and age are working in favor of Vice President Harris.
“This question of mental and physical fitness to be president, which was working for Trump against Biden, is now very much working for Harris against Trump,” Wallace said on Friday.
Trump, who is 78 years old, would be the oldest president in American history if he wins the White House in November. Harris, on the other hand, turns 60 years old on Sunday.
Harris’s campaign has honed in on Trump’s age, with the Democratic nominee commenting on his recent interview cancellations.
“His own campaign team recently said it is because of exhaustion,” the Democratic campaign posted alongside a video of Harris on X. “If you are exhausted on the campaign trail, it raises real questions about whether you are fit for the toughest job in the world.”
In response to Wallace’s remarks, Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung called Wallace a “stone cold loser,” labeling Trump as the “strongest and most capable candidate.”
“President Trump has more energy and more stamina than anyone in politics, and is the smartest leader this country has ever seen,” Cheung said in an email to The Hill. “Contrast that with the stupidity and incompetence of Kamala Harris and the cognitively impaired Joe Biden.”
Wallace’s comments came after the former President cut questions short at his rally in Pennsylvania earlier this week, instead opting to play some of his favorite songs for the audience.
An analysis from the New York Times showed that Trump’s speech content patterns have changed throughout the years, with the GOP candidate using 32 percent more negative words than positive words compared to 21 percent in 2016.
The same analysis found that his rally speeches last an average of 82 minutes now while they regularly lasted 45 minutes in 2016. The Times also found that Trump uses 69 percent more swear words now than during his first two bids for the White House, which can indicate potential cognitive change or decline.
The Harris campaign has not responded to The Hill’s request for comment.
