Mitch McConnell, Joe Biden lapses highlight advanced age of America’s leaders
- Top Senate Republican Mitch McConnell suddenly fell silent during a press conference on Wednesday, raising health concerns
- Many top figures in Washington are of advanced age, with President Joe Biden running for re-election at 80
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US Senate Minority leader Mitch McConnell freezes during press event
Joe Biden, 80, is the oldest US president to ever serve in the White House, and nearly two decades older than the median age of the world’s national leaders, 62, Pew Research found.
While Biden is younger than 89-year-old President Paul Biya of Cameroon, the world’s oldest head of state, he could be a grandfather to Chilean President Gabriel Boric or Sanna Marin, who stepped down as Finland’s prime minister last month. Both are 37.
Yet Biden is years younger than some members of the US Congress.
McConnell, 81, stopped talking mid-sentence at a news conference on Capitol Hill on Wednesday and stood mutely for 23 seconds until he was led away from reporters, only to return later to report, “I’m fine”.
The moment sparked worries about his mental fitness, especially after he was hospitalised and treated for a concussion after a fall in March.