Sen. Sanders Says Nikki Haley’s Competency Test Suggestion Is “Ageism”

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT). Nikki HaleyThe suggestion to make it mandatory for politicians to pass a mental competency test is “ageism” etiquette should be treated in the same manner as other forms discrimination.

The 2024 presidential race has been dominated by the topic of politics. Haley, one the two officially-declared GOP candidate candidates, stated that politicians were now past their prime and that it was high time for a new generation.

WATCH: DON LEMON SLAMS NIKKI HALEY AND SAYS HER ISN’T IN HER PREMIUM’

She spoke in her speech Proposed term limits for Congress and a mandatory competency test for politicians over 75 years of age — something that Sanders, who is 81, called “absurd.”

“What did she mean? I don’t understand what — yeah, no. I think that’s absurd,” Sanders spoke Sunday during an interview with CBS News. “You know, we are fighting racism, we’re fighting sexism, we’re fighting homophobia — I think we should also be fighting ageism.”

Sanders said that age does not necessarily indicate competence.

“Trust people, look at people, and say, you know, this person is competent, this person is not competent,” Sanders said. “There are a lot of 40-year-olds out there who ain’t particularly competent. Older people, you know, you look at the individual, I don’t think you make a blanket statement.”

Sanders said that American should be proud of former President Donald Trump, and President Joe Biden. Both would be included in the competency testing age range. “look at what they do, what they believe in.”

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“What are they fighting for? What does Donald Trump stand for? Do you believe in that? Well, I certainly don’t,” Sanders said. “What does Joe Biden stand for? What is he doing? Has he accomplished … look at him in that way, not on age.”

The field has seen discussions about the aging of politicians from both sides. CNN This Morning Don Lemon was under intense scrutiny Haley “isn’t in her prime.” Lemon later apologized for his remarks and called them “inartful and irrelevant.”