Donald Trump's campaign has often relied on Joe Biden's advanced age. However, Trump himself turned 78 on June 14.
Only three years separate the two men.
Questions about mental and physical health are growing not only for Biden, but also for the former US president.
Whoever wins the election in November will set a new record. At 81, Biden is now the oldest person to hold the office. If Trump wins a second term, he will be the oldest president in history at the time of inauguration.
Yet Trump, aided by his aides, has carefully constructed an image of vigor in contrast to his opponent, whom he regularly claims is "asleep."
Whether he's doing photo shoots with martial arts personalities or performing his signature short dance at the end of rallies, Trump spares no effort to appear like an energetic showman.
Usually heavy use of cosmetics and hairspray give him the appearance (from a distance) of a younger man.
Trump will look to maintain that image at a party in West Palm Beach, in his home state of Florida, when he addresses a crowd of paying guests.
Club 47 USA, a group of Trump supporters, organized the event near the former president's residence and golf resort, Mar-a-Lago.
The invitations, which depicted a smiling Trump hugging the American flag, called him "the best president in history."
The Republican is used to the flattery, since almost the entire party is already behind him. He received a rapturous birthday greeting in Washington from Republican members of Congress.
Among them were high-ranking figures who, just three years ago, were condemning him when a mob of Trump supporters tried to storm the Capitol to overturn Biden's 2020 election victory.
Unflattering photo of Trump
There were no warm wishes from the Biden camp.
The president's re-election campaign released a close-up photo of a sweaty, disheveled Trump with the caption: "Ah, another year around the sun for Donald Trump."
Below it was a list of 78 lifetime "accomplishments," ranging from Trump's numerous bankruptcies to cases of far-right rhetoric, alleged sexual misconduct, golf cheating, encouraging the attack on the Capitol and a recent conviction for business fraud in New York.
"Happy birthday, Donald. You are a fraud, a failure, a fraud and a threat to our democracy, economy, rights and future," said Biden campaign spokesman James Singer. "Our early gift for your 79 AD: Making sure you never become president again."
In response, a Trump spokeswoman described Biden as a "weak and incompetent candidate" who "wobbled around like a brain-lost zombie at the G7 summit" in Italy this week.
A fight between record holders
Polls show that a large majority of Americans think Biden is too old, while few people say the same about Trump.
But Trump now faces months of intense media exposure, increasing the risk of the same gaffes that plagued Biden.
A mini-firestorm erupted on June 13 when Trump said Milwaukee, where Republicans will hold their convention to nominate Trump in July, was a "terrible" place.
His often outlandish, meandering comments during speeches have also received increasing attention, including a recent tirade against electric vehicles that included a sinking boat, a shark and electrocution.
Trump seems aware that attacks on Biden could backfire, given their similar ages.
"He (Biden) is not too old at all," Trump said in an interview last September. "Age is interesting because some people keep their wits sharp and others lose their wits."
Biden said on June 14 that he agreed with the nuances on the age issue.
"Happy 78th birthday, Donald. Take it from one old man to another: Age is just a number. However, this vote is an important choice." | BGNES
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Jim Watson, AFP
