‘Boomer’ Kamala Harris turns 60

Kamala Harris turns 60 on the campaign trail today.

The vice president has made age an issue in the election, declaring herself a ‘new generation’ ready to take over from 81-year-old Joe Biden, and lambasting 78-year-old Donald Trump as too old for the White House.

From the outset of her campaign Harris has promoted herself to younger voters with appeals to millennials and Gen Z.  

Scoring points with those audiences after taking the Democratic mantle from Biden earlier this summer, Harris and her team immediately leaned into Charlie XCX’s new album ‘Brat’ and the viral Gen Z attention it was getting.

Her campaign has also prioritized Harris getting time with influencers and TikTokers, particularly at the Democratic National Convention where some social media stars became pseudo-reporters.

But whether Harris’ doubling down with younger voters helps the sexagenarian beat septuagenarian Trump remains to be seen.

Harris’ age makes her, only just, a ‘baby boomer’ – the generation born between 1946 and 1964.

The vice president, who is roughly 18 years younger than her competitor, has increasingly pointed to age as a factor in the 2024 election.

A recent report suggested that the ex-president has been ‘exhausted’ as a result of his constant campaigning. It was cited as a reason behind why he has canceled several interviews recently. Trump’s campaign fiercely denied the report.

But Harris used those reports as a cudgel against Trump on Friday, suggesting he is too tired for the rigors of the job. 

‘I’ve been hearing reports that – his team, at least, is saying that – he’s been suffering from exhaustion,’ she told reporters after a campaign event in Michigan. 

‘And, that’s apparently the excuse for why he’s not doing interviews. And, of course, he’s not doing the CNN town hall. He refuses to do another debate. And, you know, look, being President of the United States is probably one of the hardest jobs in the world.’

Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump arrives at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, in Detroit

Reports have circulated that Trump is ‘exhausted’ as a result of his constant campaigning

‘And so, we really do need to ask if he’s exhausted being on the campaign trail, is he fit to do the job?’ Harris questioned.

Trump hit back, saying: She’s a loser. She doesn’t go to any events.

‘I’ve gone 48 days now without a rest. And I’ve got that loser, who doesn’t have the energy of a rabbit.

‘Tell me when you’ve seen me take even a little bit of a rest. Not only am I not – I’m not even tired. I’m really exhilarated.’

A year ago, Harris was singing quite a different tune about presidential candidates and their age. 

When Biden was still expected to be the Democratic presidential nominee, Harris said age is more than just a number.

‘I would say that age is more than a chronological fact,’ Harris said then.

‘I spend a whole lot of time with our president, be it in the Oval Office or the Situation Room and in other places.’

Harris seldom talked negatively about age when it came to Biden, 81, while he was running

‘Not only is he absolutely authoritative in rooms around the globe, but in the Oval Office, meeting with members of Congress, meeting with leaders in industry, meeting with community leaders, I will tell you that he is in front of often everyone in the room in terms of thinking about how we can resolve issues.’

Biden, the oldest president in U.S. history, dropped out of the presidential contest eight months later.

Presidential elections are a major test of stamina for any candidate – but the 2024 race has been unusually focused on age.

Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris walks on stage to speak at a campaign event on October 18, 2024 in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Harris is unlikely to take time off the campaign trail for her birthday.

Earlier this week, she ramped up her attacks on Trump’s age.

She said: ‘Donald Trump is increasingly unstable.’

Trump said recently: ‘She is younger. I mean, she’s 60 years old…I didn’t realize she was 60. I thought she was a little younger. But she is 60.’

Harris recently released a medical report describing her as in ‘excellent health and fit for the presidency, with the only minor health issue of note being seasonal allergies and hives.

Polls suggest age a strong issue for Harris.

Pew Research Center polling showed the percentage of people who call Trump ‘mentally sharp dropping from 58 percent in July to 52 percent in September.

Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at a campaign rally in Riverside Park, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, in Grand Rapids, Michigan

And while 49 percent of voters said Trump’s age would hurt his candidacy, 46 percent of voters said Harris’s age would help hers.

Harris commands solid support among younger voters.

But older voters lean towards Trump.

In a recent CBS poll, voters aged 45-64 side with Trump over Harris 53 percent to 46, while among voters ages 65 and over it grows to 57 percent to 42 percent.