Ageism in Politics: Can an “Older Adult” Be the President of the USA?

Abstract

In the upcoming 2024 U.S. presidential election, it is possible that an individual from the older adult population (e.g., Mr. Biden or Mr. Trump) may be elected the president of this country. This possibility has prompted some political opponents and members of the media to insert in the mind of potential voters that they should be very careful electing a president who is “too old” to serve in this very complex role, thus reinforcing the negative impact of ageism in this context. The central argument is that the “ageism” factor in the current U.S. political scenario appears to be an attack on someone wishing to be the president of this country, but that the same factor appears to be irrelevant in the case of individuals currently serving or wanting to serve in the U.S. Senate or in the House of Representatives. This argument is supported with a sample of congress men and women ranging in age from 7 7 to 90 years and currently serving in the 118 th U.S. Congress.