Why Republicans’ Ridicule of Biden’s Age Will Haunt Their Future

 

Mocking Biden’s cognitive decline is not just cruel—it is political cannibalism, where we feast on the vulnerabilities we all share as humans. In plain English, by ridiculing Biden’s aging, Republicans are essentially declaring war on the inevitable fate awaiting every single one of us.

It is ironic that the same people who tout family values are now clutching their pearls over President Biden pardoning his son, Hunter Biden. My fellow Republicans, let’s call this what it is: selective outrage. We mock his age, his perceived cognitive decline, and now, his personal act of compassion as if these things are scandalous. So what if he is experiencing the effects of aging? That’s life. The Bible says, “Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained by living a godly life.” Yet, instead of respecting the natural progression of life, we use it as a weapon against him. Are we really so blind to our own humanity?

Let’s address the elephant in the room: Hunter Biden’s pardon. Yes, President Biden pardoned his son after years of legal scrutiny and public disgrace. But are we honestly surprised? Presidents have long exercised their pardon powers in controversial ways. Ronald Reagan pardoned George Steinbrenner for illegal contributions to Nixon's campaign. Bill Clinton pardoned Marc Rich, a fugitive financier. Donald Trump pardoned Steve Bannon, who faced fraud charges. Why is it suddenly different when Biden extends the same grace to his own blood? Are we saying a president has more duty to strangers than to his own child?

Moreover, criticizing Biden’s cognitive state is not only uncharitable but hypocritical. The aging process spares no one, not even the most powerful among us. Take Ronald Reagan, a revered Republican figure who reportedly showed signs of cognitive decline during his second term, later confirmed by his Alzheimer’s diagnosis. Did that diminish his legacy? No. Instead, he is remembered as a transformative leader. Aging is not a moral failure; it’s a universal truth. Proverbs remind us, “Do not cast away the old, for they have wisdom.” But wisdom seems to have abandoned our discourse when we ridicule Biden for growing old.

Instead of tearing him down, let’s remember Biden’s long history of public service. Here is a man who overcame personal tragedies that would cripple most people. He buried his first wife and daughter after a car accident. Decades later, he lost his son, Beau, to brain cancer. Through all this, he has shown resilience. Is it really so far-fetched that he would want to protect his remaining son, however flawed? Family is family, and as Republicans, who claim to value family, we should understand that better than anyone.

Our relentless focus on Biden’s supposed mental decline also distracts us from the real issues. Inflation, the border crisis, healthcare reform, and foreign policy—these are the topics that deserve our attention. Yet, instead of debating his policies, we fixate on whether he stumbles over his words or walks unsteadily. What purpose does that serve? Do we imagine our attacks will make us seem more competent? They won’t. Instead, we come off as petty and unable to address substantive matters. “The empty vessel makes the loudest sound,” as Shakespeare wrote, and our noise over Biden’s age makes us seem hollow.

Then there’s the coup within Biden’s own party—a betrayal that deserves scrutiny but is overshadowed by our personal jabs. Progressive Democrats, unhappy with Biden’s moderate stance, have steadily undermined him. The primary challenges, the dissenting votes in Congress, and the leftward pull on policies all point to a calculated effort to weaken him. This, more than his age or his pardoning of Hunter, should concern us. But instead, we waste our breath on memes and soundbites mocking his stumbles.

Even worse, our behavior sets a dangerous precedent. If we treat aging and cognitive decline as disqualifiers for leadership, where does it end? Should we discard older Americans from positions of influence across the board? Our own party has leaders like Mitch McConnell, who froze during public appearances, and Donald Trump, who has been known to ramble incoherently. Are we prepared to apply the same scrutiny to them? Or is this criticism reserved only for our opponents? The double standard is glaring, and it undermines our credibility.

History will not look kindly on this moment if we continue down this path. Leaders like Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt faced immense personal and physical challenges yet delivered some of the greatest achievements in modern history. Their examples remind us that leadership is about vision and courage, not perfect health or youth. By fixating on Biden’s flaws, we risk missing the bigger picture. Worse, we risk alienating the very voters we need to win future elections.

As Republicans, we pride ourselves on being the party of principles. We believe in hard work, personal responsibility, and the sanctity of the family. How, then, can we reconcile those values with our treatment of Biden? Are we working hard to address the nation’s issues, or are we taking the easy road of personal attacks? Are we taking responsibility for our party’s vision, or are we deflecting blame onto an aging president? And if we truly value family, how can we criticize Biden for standing by his son?

Our actions today will echo in the years to come. Just as Biden is mocked now, so too will future Republican leaders be mocked if we continue to normalize this kind of discourse. The wheel of time spares no one, and the age-related struggles we ridicule today may be ours tomorrow. “What goes around, comes around,” the saying goes, and we must ask ourselves if this is the legacy we want to leave.

So let’s stop pretending we are immune to the passage of time. Let’s stop pretending that pardoning a flawed family member is some unprecedented scandal. And let’s stop pretending that mocking an old man for stumbling will win us elections or respect. It won’t. Instead, it reveals our own insecurity and lack of vision.

If we don’t change course, we risk becoming a party defined not by its values but by its vendettas. That’s not a party I want to be part of, and I suspect many Republicans feel the same. As the proverb goes, “When you point one finger, three point back at you.” It’s time to lower our fingers and raise our standards. After all, karma has no expiration date.