DeSantis goes after Trump’s age by saying president is NOT the job for ‘someone pushing 80’ – but REFUSES to say of he thinks he is ‘unfit’ to serve despite Christie’s demands he answer

Chris Christie hasn’t given up on Ron DeSantis after he refused to say whether Donald Trump, 77, would be willing to serve another four years.

But the 45-year-old Florida governor responded to Christie by saying that anyone “over 80” probably shouldn’t run for president.

The two clashed after debate moderator Megyn Kelly asked DeSantis if he thought Trump was “mentally fit” to serve as president, following a barrage of attacks and ads targeting the former president’s age and gaffes.

Instead of talking about Trump’s mental capacity, DeSantis focused on the age of the whole thing – which didn’t sit well with Christie, who encouraged his rivals to answer the questions asked.

“Father Time is unbeatable, the idea that we’re going to put somebody almost 80 years old in there and it’s not going to have any effect – we all know that’s not true,” DeSantis said. “And so we have the opportunity to develop the next generation of leaders and really move this country forward.”

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said the presidency “is not a job for someone over 80” when asked whether Donald Trump is “mentally ready” to serve another four years.

Frontrunners Donald Trump, 77, and Joe Biden, 81, have faced sharp criticism over their ages, and there are frequent questions about whether they are mentally and physically fit for the job.

“I think we need someone younger. I don’t think once you’re 80, I don’t think there’s a job for that.”

Age was a major factor in the 2024 presidential race, with both parties having older leaders.

Trump, elected in 2016, was the oldest person ever to become president, followed by Ronald Reagan. President Joe Biden, 81, beat Trump by eight years when he was elected at age 78.

Christie said DeSantis, along with two other competitors on the stage, Vivek Ramaswamy and Nikki Haley, are “afraid” to attack Trump.

“This is not about fear,” DeSantis insisted. “It’s about pointing out: Do you want to elect someone who will be older than Biden was when he left in 2021?”

“I don’t think he’s as bad as Biden at all,” he added, giving Trump credit. “But I think over a four-year period this job is not for someone over 80. We need someone younger. We need someone who can come in there and clean things up on day one and do it over the course of two semesters.”

Since Trump has already been in office for four years, he will only be eligible to serve another four-year term. DeSantis says the United States needs a Republican in power who can enact change for eight straight years.

Christie responded to DeSantis’ initial response by demanding that he rule on whether Trump is mentally fit for office.

Gov. Chris Christie pressed DeSantis — and his other 2024 rivals — to answer questions directly and said they were all “scared” of attacking Trump.

The fourth Republican presidential primary debate at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa was the most intense yet. From left to right: former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy.

“Why won’t he just be honest?” – complained the former governor of New Jersey.

“The question was very direct. Is he worthy to be president or not? The rest of the speech is interesting, but not at all responsive. And if we were in the courtroom, they would answer.”

Christie’s frustrations came after DeSantis took issue with Trump’s performance on the national stage and his results in Florida.

“I know this,” DeSantis retorted to his 2024 challenger, “we have the opportunity to nominate someone and elect someone to two terms who will hammer nails from day one and for eight years.”

“We should not nominate a person who is almost 80 years old,” he repeated.

Christe insisted that his colleagues answer questions on the debate stage, noting: “I’m a simple guy, okay? I hear the question and I answer it.”

— Is he in shape or not? I admit it: you’re in good shape, Ron,” Christie told the Florida governor. “You are a new generation, you are 44 years old. I wish I was 44.”

“45,” corrected the father of three.

‘Well, congratulations. I would still take 45,” Christy said.

“This is the problem with three of my colleagues – they are afraid of offending. If you are afraid of offending Donald Trump, then what are you going to do when you sit across from President Xi, sit across from the Ayatollah, sit across from Putin.”

“You have to be willing to insult the truth and answer the question,” he concluded.