Help keep Salon independent

Gavin Newsom views Biden’s age as a help, not a hindrance

"What a gift it is for the American people," Newsom said of Biden's wisdom in an appearance on "Meet The Press"

Senior Culture Editor

Published

California Governor Gavin Newsom attends an event with fellow governors in the East Room of the White House on February 23, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
California Governor Gavin Newsom attends an event with fellow governors in the East Room of the White House on February 23, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Speaking to "Meet The Press" host Kristen Welker on Sunday morning, California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) re-framed the ongoing chatter over Joe Biden's age, positioning it as a positive rather than a negative, as Republicans would have us believe.

Whereas Trump has made a habit out of belittling Biden for being up there in years, sharing spoof videos to Truth Social showing the president being shuffled off to an old folk's home, Newsom thinks Biden’s presidency has been a “masterclass” in how to run the country, and that his age only brings more wisdom that the country can benefit from.

"I’ve been out, as you know, on the campaign trail," he said to Welker. "I was just out in California. I’ve seen him up close, I’ve seen him from far. But here’s my point: it’s because of his age that he’s been so successful. It’s because of the wisdom and the character that’s developed over the years . . . so the opportunity to express that for four more years, what a gift it is for the American people.”

Watch here:

By Kelly McClure

Kelly McClure is Salon's Senior Culture Editor, where she helps further coverage of TV, film, music, books and culture trends from a unique and thoughtful angle. Her work has also appeared in Vulture, Vanity Fair, Vice and many other outlets that don't start with the letter V. She is the author of one sad book called "Something Is Always Happening Somewhere." Follow her on Bluesky: @WolfieVibes

MORE FROM Kelly McClure

Related Topics ------------------------------------------

Related Articles