With questions being raised about Donald Trump’s health, US Vice President JD Vance has said he is prepared to take over as US President if required.
In an interview with USA Today on Wednesday, Vance stressed that Trump, who is 79 years old, remains in “incredibly good health” and continues to show strong energy.
Trump’s health concerns
“The president is in incredibly good health, he’s got incredible energy,” Vance said. “I feel very confident the president of the United States is in good shape, is going to serve out the remainder of his term and do great things for the American people,” he added.
Vance, 41, is the third-youngest Vice President in US history. He admitted that while he hopes no tragedy occurs, he is ready to step up if necessary. “If, God forbid, something terrible happens, I can’t think of better on-the-job training than what I’ve received over the past 200 days,” he said.
Vance told USA Today that most of the people who work with the President are younger than he is, still Trump keeps the longest work hours. “He’s the last person making phone calls at night and he’s the first person who wakes up and the first person making phone calls in the morning,” he said.
Trump has often ridiculed Joe Biden for his age and health, calling him “Sleepy Joe.” However, Trump himself has faced scrutiny in recent months. In July, after photos and videos showed swelling in his legs, the White House confirmed that he had been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, a common vein problem.
Trump could become the oldest serving US President
If Trump completes his current term, he will become the oldest serving US president ever. At 78 years and seven months, Trump already holds the record as the oldest president at the time of inauguration, surpassing Joe Biden, who was 78 years and two months when sworn in back in 2021.
Biden, who initially ran as the Democratic candidate in the 2024 elections, was forced to withdraw from the race in July due to health issues at the age of 81.