Lara Trump, Republican National Committee co-chair and daughter-in-law of former President Donald Trump, has doubled down on demands that President Joe Biden undergo drug testing before any potential presidential debates take place. Her comments come after Trump himself stated at a rally last week that he plans to “demand a drug test” for Biden before they meet on the debate stage.
The requests have raised eyebrows, with many viewing them as unfounded personal attacks against Biden’s mental acuity. However, Lara Trump insisted in an interview with Newsmax host Eric Bolling that the demand is not outrageous at all given widespread questions about Biden’s cognitive state and inconsistent public performances.
Lara Trump: "Hunter Biden is a self admitted drug addict." pic.twitter.com/5cvOx7ve1R
— Dillon Fillion (@DillonFillionIA) July 10, 2023
“People across this country have a lot of questions about what is going on with Joe Biden,” she told Bolling. “Why do you seem to see two very different versions of him in very rapid succession from time to time? We have a lot of questions that need to be answered.”
Trump went on to allege, without evidence, that if Biden were “using some sort of a substance, that would be nice for the American people to know.” She claimed her father-in-law’s proposed drug testing was simply a reasonable request to ensure transparency.
Bolling backed up Trump’s stance, comparing the situation to drug testing protocols in professional sports. “You drug test athletes, you drug test cyclists, you drug test boxers, you drug test thoroughbred horses,” he stated. “I mean, you do this to make sure that there no nefarious things are going on. It’s not a crazy thing to ask.”
The White House has not directly responded to the allegations, though Biden’s physician previously released a report deeming the 80-year-old president “fit for duty” following his routine annual physical exam last year.
While political attacks questioning an opponent’s mental fitness are nothing new, outright demands for drug testing from a former president appear to be an escalation in the rhetoric. Some political analysts view it as a deliberate attempt by Trump to get into Biden’s head before the highly anticipated debates.
I am supporting the resolution insisting that Ronny Jackson did not run a pill mill, that John Rich saved a horse by riding a cowboy, that Ron Johnson knew nothing about fake electors, that Lara Trump sings beautifully, and that Junior doesn't do drugs. pic.twitter.com/uk3wVHdv6C
— Harry from the Midwest (@harryc1966) February 3, 2024
The debates themselves, expected for June 27th and September 10th, will have an unusual format without a live audience. The candidates have agreed to have their microphones cut off while their opponent is speaking to avoid interruptions and crosstalk that marred their 2020 debates.
As the presumptive front-runners for their respective parties’ 2024 nominations, the stakes will be high for both Biden and Trump to deliver strong performances that could sway undecided voters. Trump’s insistence on drug testing threatens to make the pre-debate buildup as contentious as the events themselves.
Ultimately, many Americans may interpret the drug test allegations as more political theater than substantive policy discussion. However, the demands also tap into a lingering unease felt by some regarding Biden’s advancing age and cognitive abilities. As the 2024 election cycle begins to take shape, the debates could prove critical for both candidates to make their case to the nation.
