Confidant says Trump’s health might be too poor to run for president again
“I think for him, everything will depend on his health at that time. If he still has energy and strength as he does.”By Adam Barnes | May 17, 2021
Former President Trump’s diet and age could prove to be pivotal factors determining whether he runs in 2024, Rev. Franklin Graham told Axios on HBO.
The president of Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, and an early supporter to the former president, told the outlet he’s unsure if Trump’s health will permit another campaign.
“I think for him, everything will depend on his health at that time. If he still has energy and strength like he does. I don’t,” Graham said.
“You know the guy does not eat well, you know, and it’s amazing the energy that he has,” Graham added.
Graham praised Trump’s term of office following the former president’s November election loss to President Biden. Graham posted in a statement on Facebook in December that he was “grateful to God” for Trump’s four years. “He gave us a president who protected our religious liberties; grateful for a president who defended the lives of the unborn, standing publicly against abortion and the bloody smear it has made on our nation; grateful for a president who nominated conservative judges to the Supreme Court and to our federal courts,” Graham wrote.
“President Trump will go down in history as one of the great presidents of our nation, bringing peace and prosperity to millions here in the U.S. and around the world,” Graham added.
Still, the former president’s reported weight loss might pave the way for another campaign, Graham told Axios.
“He’s lost weight, fifteen pounds, Maybe. So he might be in good health and in good shape. I don’t know.”
Graham additionally addressed vaccine hesitancy, saying he wants “people to know that COVID-19 can kill you.”
“But we have a vaccine out there that could possibly save your life. And if you wait, it could be too late.”
The former president, who has yet to formally announce whether he will seek another term, will be 78 years old in 2024.
Franklin Graham Gives Trump A Stark 2024 Reality Check
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/franklin-graham-donald-trump-2024_n_60a1fb95e4b0909248050a37
The evangelical leader knocks Trump’s age, health, and diet — all at the same time. By Ed Mazza 05/17/2021 04:22 am
Evangelical leader Franklin Graham, who has been one of Donald Trump’s biggest supporters among the religious right, hit the former president with a reality check over his 2024 election chances.
“I think for him, everything will depend on his health at that time. If he still has energy and strength as he does. I don’t,” Graham told Axios, adding: “You know the guy does not eat well, you know, and it’s amazing the energy that he has.”
Graham added that Trump seems to have lost 15 pounds.
“So he might be in good health and in good shape,” he said. “I don’t know.”
Trump has been openly toying with running for president again, potentially setting up a rematch with President Joe Biden. Trump would be 78 on Election Day in 2024. Biden, who has said he’ll seek reelection, would turn 82 shortly after Election Day that year.
While polls show Trump retains support among Republicans, there are other issues that could derail a potential candidacy beyond age and health. Mary Trump, the former president’s niece, and a prominent critic suggested legal woes could keep him out of contention.
“He may be facing some serious charges at the state level, plus there are some lawsuits that he will have to grapple with,” she said in December, referring to the multiple ongoing investigations and suits. “And, of course, there is his financial exposure. So I don’t see that happening.”
