Sunday, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) hit back at Nikki Haley, who recently announced her candidacy for president, after she suggested a mandatory competency test for politicians over 75 years old.
During a visit to Fox News last week, Haley was asked by Brian Kilmeade how Donald Trump would perform on her proposed mental competency test.
“I think he did great the last time he did it. I have no reason to think he wouldn’t do well this time,” Haley said before suggesting all politicians – such as Bernie Sanders – should also take a competency test if over the age of 75.
Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley, when asked how Donald Trump would do on her proposed mental competency test for politicians over the age of 75:
“I think he did great the last time he did it. I have no reason to think he wouldn’t do well this time.” pic.twitter.com/0YesQgZzOP
— The Recount (@therecount) February 16, 2023
Sanders, aged 81, visited CBS’ “Face the Nation” to slam Haley’s proposal, calling it an offensive display of “ageism.”
“We are fighting racism, we’re fighting sexism, we’re fighting homophobia,” said Sanders.
“I think we should also be fighting ageism. Trust people, look at people and say, ‘You know, this person is competent, this person is not competent.’”
“I don’t think you make a blanket statement,” he said.
Bernie Sanders says 2024 GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley’s proposal for a mandatory mental competency test for politicians older than 75 is “absurd.”
“We are fighting racism, we're fighting sexism, we're fighting homophobia, I think we should also be fighting ageism.” pic.twitter.com/867zNbEIj9
— Becker News (@NewsBecker) February 19, 2023
The career politician, who will be 83 by the 2024 election, is running for another term as a senator.
Sanders has served as a mayor, a House representative, and a Senator throughout a career spanning five decades.
