Donald Trump turns 78, criticises his 81-year-old rival Joe Biden's age

Former US president Donald Trump marked his 78th birthday on Friday (June 14) by addressing a crowd in Florida. He repetitively dismissed his opponent in November’s election, 81-year-old President Joe Biden, calling him too weak to handle a second term.

“Our country is being destroyed by unqualified people,” said Trump, who spent significant portions of a light-hearted speech teasing Biden. "All presidents should undergo aptitude tests," he said.

Donald Trump addressed ‘Club 47’ fan club members at a convention center in West Palm Beach. Tickets to the former president’s birthday celebration were priced between $25 and $60 and got sold out several days prior.

To celebrate Trump’s birthday, organisers brought a towering, multi-layered cake. The cake was decorated with images of Trump and topped with a red MAGA (Make America Great Again) hat.

As Trump took the stage, the crowd chanted “Happy Birthday” and “USA! USA!”

“This is the biggest birthday party I’ve ever had by far,” Trump said.

While mocking Biden, including stating that the president frequently "doesn't know where the hell he is," Trump also delivered a conflicting message to his supporters.

He endorsed early voting, voting by mail, and in-person voting on Election Day, but later remarked, "I actually tell our people, we don't need your vote. We've already secured numerous votes."

Meanwhile, in a birthday message to him, the Joe Biden presidential campaign labeled Trump as a ‘crook, a failure, and a fraud.’

"Happy birthday, Donald. You're a crook, a failure, a fraud, and a threat to our democracy, economy, rights, and future," the Biden campaign said.

Further, the Biden administration also shared a mocking list of Trump's 78 ‘accomplishments’, saying that the former US President was the first one to be convicted and indicted on various charges.

In a separate post on X, Joe Biden wrote, "Happy 78th birthday, Donald. Take it from one old guy to another: Age is just a number. This election, however, is a choice."

Notably, Biden will turn 82 shortly after Elections in November and 86 years old by the end of a second term.

(With inputs from agencies)