Mitt Romney said people 80 and older should not be “running the country,” offering the view in a Deseret Voices interview when asked jokingly about a 2028 presidential run.
A 20% brain shrinkage by age 80 was his rationale, with Romney citing Bill Bryson’s book “The Body” to argue that advanced age should disqualify national leaders.
Romney, 79 and turning 80 next year, said he would “love” to run again and joked that “third time’s a charm” after his failed 2008 and 2012 presidential bids.
Donald Trump turned 80 last month and would be 82 at the end of his term, while Joe Biden left office at 82 as the oldest person ever to serve as U.S. president.