(The Center Square) – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis attacked former President Donald Trump’s age and sparred with former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie over Trump’s mental fitness to be president during the Republican primary debate at the University of Alabama on Wednesday night.
The remarks came after DeSantis was asked about previous comments in which he said Trump has “lost the zip on his fast ball” and whether that meant he was questioning Trump’s mental fitness.
“Father time is undefeated,” DeSantis said. “The idea that we are going to put somebody up there who is 80 and there is going to be no effects from that, we all know that’s not true. So we have an opportunity to do a next generation of leaders and really move this country forward.”
The attack on Trump came in the second hour of the debate after a first hour of constant attacks between the candidates over their records, donors and past comments.
“I think we need to have somebody younger,” DeSantis said when asked directly by the moderator if Trump was mentally fit to be president. “I think when you get up to 80. I don’t think it’s a job for that.”
Christie pushed DeSantis to give a yes or no answer to whether Trump is mentally fit or not. DeSantis answered by saying that Trump is not as bad as Biden was but is too old for the job.
Trump did not participate in the debate, the fourth of this Republican primary.
“We also need a president who can serve two terms,” DeSantis added, pointing out that Trump is only eligible to be a lame duck president immediately because he has already served one term.
“I don’t think Donald Trump will be able to get elected,” DeSantis added. “The Democrats, they are going to turn the screws the minute, if he got the nomination, you’re gonna see it.”
Real Clear Politics’ polling averages show Trump with a wide lead over his GOP rivals, including in the early primary states. In Iowa, the first primary state to caucus, Trump leads nearly 30 points, and in New Hampshire Trump leads by about the same amount.
Overall, Trump has 61% support, more than all his opponents combined. DeSantis is in second with 13.5% support, according to RCP, and Haley comes in third with 10.3%. Ramaswamy has 4.9% support overall.
