New Trump Super PAC Ad Attacks Biden Over His Age
The super PAC backing Donald J. Trump for president airs a blistering television ad before the State of the Union address, mocking President Biden’s hesitant response to questions about his memory and even questioning his longevity, as a taste of the general’s tenor. election looming.
The ad, titled “Jugular,” aired Thursday morning on MSNBC during one of Biden’s favorite shows, “Morning Joe.” in the hour of 6 o’clock. It will air nationally throughout the day and Friday morning on MSNBC, CNN, Fox News and Newsmax, according to the super PAC, Make America Great Again Inc. The size of the two-day ad buy was not immediately clear.
The spot seemed designed to try to get under Mr. Biden’s skin at a crucial moment as he prepares to give the State of the Union and faces low approval ratings for his predecessor, Mr. Trump. The ad focuses on an issue that Mr. Biden and his allies have shown frustration with — questions about his age.
At 81, Mr. Biden is America’s oldest president. Mr. Trump is 77.
A Biden campaign spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
A report by the special counsel Robert Hur, who investigated Mr. Biden’s possession of classified documents in his home after he served as vice president, infuriated the president’s allies with what they called unnecessary descriptions of his difficulty remembering certain events and details. Among them, Mr. Hur said, was the death of Mr. Biden’s eldest son, Beau, a statement that Mr. Biden’s allies pushed back on.
The ad uses footage of Mr. Biden responding to that report at a White House news conference, appearing visibly angry and nervous at times. The ad says people understand Mr Biden’s “weakness” and adds: “Can Biden even survive until 2029?” Then, using images of Vice President Kamala Harris laughing and Mr. Biden falling on the stairs as he boards Air Force One, the question is asked: “Can we?”
The tactic of airing ads to be seen by a president was used to reach Trump, especially when opponents hoped to force him to respond. Among those who used this tactic was the Lincoln Project, the group of anti-Trump Republicans. And Trump has had his own verbal stumbles, including confusing former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi with Nikki Haley, his former chief rival, and calling Mr. Biden “Obama” in recent speeches.
But this particular spot focuses on what has been put forward by Democrats, some of Mr. Biden’s allies and some voters as a concern as Mr. Trump seeks to set the terms of the general election for voters as one of “strength” versus “weakness.”
“Biden is weak, and America is suffering,” said MAGA Inc. CEO Taylor Budowich. “Tonight’s State of the Union address will not silence those waiting in the wings to laugh every time Joe Biden stumbles or stumbles.”