Some of PresidentJoe Biden’s celebrity supporters at the 2023 White House Correspondents' Dinner rejected concerns about his age — an issue that he himself even joked about onstage.While attending the dinner on Saturday, Biden, 80, said, “Look, I get that age is a completely reasonable issue. You might think I don’t likeRupert Murdoch, [but] that’s simply not true. How can I dislike a guy who makes me look likeHarry Styles?““Call me old, I call it being seasoned,” the politician continued. “You say I am ancient, I say I’m wise. You say I’m over the hill,Don Lemonwould say, ‘That’s a man in his prime.’ “ComedianRoy Wood Jr.— who hosted the dinner — said that “there’s been no scandal more damaging than the scandal of: Is Joe Biden awake?” adding, “Say what you want about our president, but when you wake up from that nap, work gets done.“Joe Biden.SAUL LOEB/AFP via GettyArecent pollshowed that a majority of voters have concerns about Biden’s age as heplans to run for president again, given that he would be 86 at the end of a potential second term.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Joe Biden.SAUL LOEB/AFP via GettySpeaking with PEOPLE on the event’s red carpet,Rebecca Romijnand husbandJerry O’Connellboth said that they view Biden’s age as an asset.“The older you get the wiser you get, as I am learning in my older years. With age comes wisdom,” Romijn, 50, said as O’Connell, 49, echoed similar sentiments, stating, “You get older, you get wiser. We’re big fans. He’s doing a great job.“Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA/Bloomberg via GettyJason Isaacs, for his part, said that Biden’s age is not an issue for him, explaining, “He’s not failing in his abilities. He’s got incredibly competent people that he’s picking around him. The people I have managed to speak to, who I know inside the administration, feel that he’s a proper leader.““Sometimes you need, I think, particularly in times when there are some hot-headed people around the world in power, sometimes you need a steady, wise, experienced hand to steer us through some choppy waters,” he added.RELATED VIDEO: The Funniest Moments from President Joe Biden’s 2023 White House Correspondents' Dinner SpeechSunny Hostin, meanwhile, compared the age issue with Biden toJoy Behar, one of her co-hosts on ABC’sThe View.“I don’t think he’s too old. I work with 80-year-old Joy Behar every single day. I know she’s got several years left on her contract, and I’m pretty sure she can do the job. She’s one of the sharpest people that I’ve ever met and that I’ve spent time with,” Hostin told PEOPLE.“She’s more vocal in our hot topics meeting than anyone, and more informed,” Hostin, 54, added. “So I’m surprised that this country is so ageist because in other countries our elders are valued for their experience, and Biden has experience, and I am all for that.”
Some of PresidentJoe Biden’s celebrity supporters at the 2023 White House Correspondents' Dinner rejected concerns about his age — an issue that he himself even joked about onstage.
While attending the dinner on Saturday, Biden, 80, said, “Look, I get that age is a completely reasonable issue. You might think I don’t likeRupert Murdoch, [but] that’s simply not true. How can I dislike a guy who makes me look likeHarry Styles?”
“Call me old, I call it being seasoned,” the politician continued. “You say I am ancient, I say I’m wise. You say I’m over the hill,Don Lemonwould say, ‘That’s a man in his prime.’ "
ComedianRoy Wood Jr.— who hosted the dinner — said that “there’s been no scandal more damaging than the scandal of: Is Joe Biden awake?” adding, “Say what you want about our president, but when you wake up from that nap, work gets done.”
Joe Biden.SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty
Arecent pollshowed that a majority of voters have concerns about Biden’s age as heplans to run for president again, given that he would be 86 at the end of a potential second term.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Speaking with PEOPLE on the event’s red carpet,Rebecca Romijnand husbandJerry O’Connellboth said that they view Biden’s age as an asset.
“The older you get the wiser you get, as I am learning in my older years. With age comes wisdom,” Romijn, 50, said as O’Connell, 49, echoed similar sentiments, stating, “You get older, you get wiser. We’re big fans. He’s doing a great job.”
Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty
Jason Isaacs, for his part, said that Biden’s age is not an issue for him, explaining, “He’s not failing in his abilities. He’s got incredibly competent people that he’s picking around him. The people I have managed to speak to, who I know inside the administration, feel that he’s a proper leader.”
“Sometimes you need, I think, particularly in times when there are some hot-headed people around the world in power, sometimes you need a steady, wise, experienced hand to steer us through some choppy waters,” he added.
RELATED VIDEO: The Funniest Moments from President Joe Biden’s 2023 White House Correspondents' Dinner Speech
Sunny Hostin, meanwhile, compared the age issue with Biden toJoy Behar, one of her co-hosts on ABC’sThe View.
“I don’t think he’s too old. I work with 80-year-old Joy Behar every single day. I know she’s got several years left on her contract, and I’m pretty sure she can do the job. She’s one of the sharpest people that I’ve ever met and that I’ve spent time with,” Hostin told PEOPLE.
“She’s more vocal in our hot topics meeting than anyone, and more informed,” Hostin, 54, added. “So I’m surprised that this country is so ageist because in other countries our elders are valued for their experience, and Biden has experience, and I am all for that.”
source: people.com
