Joe Biden commits to serving full second term if he defeats Donald Trump, White House says

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden plans to serve his full second term if he's reelected this fall, which would make him 86 years old when he leaves office, the White House said Tuesday.

When asked whether Biden, 81, commits to serving his full second four-year term if he defeats former President Donald Trump in November, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the president would.

Biden, the oldest president in American history, has faced intense scrutiny over his age and mental fitness after a disastrous debate last month against Trump raised alarm among Democrats and set off calls for him to drop out of the 2024 race.

Still, despite six House Democrats saying publicly that Biden should withdraw, Biden has so far held off widespread calls for him to end his candidacy. Biden has vowed reputedly that he's staying in the race.

Even as the vast majority of Democratic officials appear to be backing Biden, prominent Democrats aren't ignoring concerns about Biden's age from voters.

“I think it’s a legitimate question to say, ‘Is this an episode or is this a condition?’” former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., told MSNBC last week, adding that candidates on both sides of the aisle should face the consideration.

Reach Joey Garrison on X, formerly Twitter, @joeygarrison.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Biden will serve full second term if he beats Trump, White House says