Republicans say that Biden's State of the Union speech reinforced concerns about mental acuity and age.

An old man yelling from his front porch is how Republican Sen. Ted Cruz described Biden's speech.

Republicans say that Biden's State of the Union speech reinforced concerns about mental acuity and age.
Republicans say that Biden's State of the Union speech reinforced concerns about mental acuity and age.

Republicans in Congress criticized President Biden's "angry" State of the Union speech on Thursday, raising concerns about his age, 81, and his mental abilities.

In his final State of the Union address, Biden highlighted the danger he claimed former President Donald Trump poses to democracy.

For many Republican lawmakers, their perception was that Biden's mental abilities were under intense scrutiny.

Republicans say that Biden's State of the Union speech reinforced concerns about mental acuity and age.
President Joe Biden delivered the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress at the Capitol, Thursday, March 7, 2024 ((Shawn Thew/Pool via AP))

"Bob Good, R-Va, the Chairman of the House Freedom Caucus, stated that it was often difficult to comprehend what he was saying due to his mumbling and slurring."

""Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan, agreed that we couldn't understand him because he was so mad, and the volume was up and down," he said."

Biden frequently raised his voice to emphasize his arguments, especially when discussing Trump.

Biden State of the Union address
Some Republicans criticized Biden's delivery as too angry (Shawn Thew-Pool/Getty Images)

Marshall added he was "very concerned" about Biden's health.

Rep. Stephanie Bice, R-Okla., remarked that he occasionally slurred his words.

"He had a teleprompter, which I believe aided in his long speech," she remarked.

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, stated that the president's annual address was similar to an elderly man yelling "get off my front lawn" while standing on his porch.

Republicans say that Biden's State of the Union speech reinforced concerns about mental acuity and age.
President Joe Biden arrives for the State of the Union address on Capitol Hill, Thursday, March 7, 2024, in Washington, as Vice President Kamala Harris and House Speaker Mike Johnson of La., watch.  (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., stated that Biden admitted to having mental issues during his address on Thursday night.

Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La, reiterated that he was yelling the whole time.

Democrats viewed Biden's speech as a display of his vitality, while Republicans saw it as evidence of his anger and cognitive decline.

Republicans say that Biden's State of the Union speech reinforced concerns about mental acuity and age.
President Joe Biden delivers his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress, at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, March 7, 2024. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

According to Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del, the president was "extremely enthusiastic, involved, and assertive, with a positive outlook."

Elizabeth Warren, a Democratic senator from Massachusetts, commended Biden's performance, stating, "He was assertive!"

"Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, praised Biden's performance, calling him "great," "really fantastic," "energetic," and "clear.""

Even Republican Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Neb., acknowledged: "Biden had a good night."

by Julia Johnson,Elizabeth Elkind

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