Ahead of the 2020 election, former President Donald Trump's allies frequently vouched for his stamina, often to the point of absurdity.
Fox News host Sean Hannity praised Trump for keeping an "insane schedule" last year. Tea Party member Nan Hayworth insisted Trump had "the vigor and stamina of ten people." Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee said Trump had the energy of a 32 year old.
So it may have come as a surprise when Evangelical leader and prominent Trump supporter Franklin Graham expressed reservations about Trump's health while speculating on whether he'll run for reelection in 2024.
In an interview for Axios on HBO, Graham said:
"I think for [Trump], everything will depend on his health at that time. If he still has energy and strength like he does. I don't."
He went on to say:
"You know the guy does not eat well, you know, and it's amazing the energy that he has."
Even after losing the White House in 2020 (and his subsequent denial of that reality), Trump's hold on the Republican party remains steadfast. The former President continues to be the frontrunner of potential 2024 candidates, though this support has shown signs of steadily slipping.
Whether Trump is willing to mount yet another presidential campaign remains to be seen, but many found themselves agreeing with Graham.
It's worth remembering that if Trump wins in 2024, he will be the oldest person ever elected to presidenthttps://www.axios.com/franklin-graham-trump-2024-president-054ab9ca-f55e-4588-baa0-b564cefa0592.html\u00a0\u2026— U.S. SpaceLawyer in France (@U.S. SpaceLawyer in France) 1621237126
If we\u2019ve learned anything this year, it\u2019s to trust science. I bet a life insurance adjuster could probably estimate fairly accurately how much longer Trump can continue given the diet. Franklin Graham worries Trump too old to run in 2024 - Axioshttps://www.axios.com/franklin-graham-trump-2024-president-054ab9ca-f55e-4588-baa0-b564cefa0592.html\u00a0\u2026— James Tobyne (\u4efb\u7fd4\uff09 (@James Tobyne (\u4efb\u7fd4\uff09) 1621229494
The President of Fast Foodpic.twitter.com/dHuGh29UPy— Brian (@Brian) 1621210218
Do ya think? Only reasonable thing I\u2019ve heard him say.— Maj Snowflake Ret. \u2744\ufe0f (@Maj Snowflake Ret. \u2744\ufe0f) 1621205986
For others, Trump's health—poor diet and all—was the least of his weaknesses.
That's the problem??!!— Suzanne Ford (@Suzanne Ford) 1621206643
There's 6 trillion reasons why I worry about Dump running again, but his diet ain't one of them— Katharina Haigh (@Katharina Haigh) 1621207607
That\u2019s all that worries himpic.twitter.com/fkdubkZs0c— It\u2019s me, Eleanor (@It\u2019s me, Eleanor) 1621215862
A couple thought Graham would face retaliation from the former President for his candid comments.
Cut to two days later when the Trump cult has banished Graham for saying such things.— Mauricio\u2019s Smile (@Mauricio\u2019s Smile) 1621205879
Franklin Graham won't be invited to Mar-a-Lago anytime soon. He said Trump shouldn't run in 2024 because he'll be old, and his health is very bad. Well hell, the truth is the truth.— Peggy Hunter (@Peggy Hunter) 1621217973
Trump likely won't announce a presidential run until at least after the 2022 midterms—if he decides to run again at all.
