Trump says Jimmy Carter was 'referring to Biden' when he mentioned presidential age limits

WASHINGTON – According to President Donald Trump, age limits for the presidency should "be limited by the public."

Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Wednesday that "I think it has to be limited by the public. I met with a man the other day who was 85 years old, the sharpest guy you’ll ever meet. I’ve dealt with people that were 92, 93, 94, and they were totally sharp."

Trump had been responding to a question about former President Jimmy Carter's comments about age limits. Trump also singled out former Vice President Joe Biden, adding that he thought Carter "was referring to Biden." The president added, "He said that it was because Biden’s having a hard time, there’s no question about it."

Speaking at the Carter Center on Tuesday, the former president said he would not have been able to handle the rigors of the presidency at the age of 80.

Carter on age limits: Jimmy Carter on running for president: 'I hope there's an age limit'

"I hope there’s an age limit," Carter replied with a laugh to a question about running again in 2020. "If I were just 80 years old, if I was 15 years younger, I don’t believe I could undertake the duties I experienced when I was president."

Trump was the oldest president in U.S. history at the time of his inauguration in January 2017, at 70 years old.

In his remarks, Carter didn't mention by name any particular candidate, but two of the leading Democratic candidates would be the oldest presidents in U.S. history on Inauguration Day and would turn 80 during their term if elected.

Former Vice President Joe Biden would be 78 when elected, and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., would be 79 on Inauguration Day.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump says Jimmy Carter's age limit comments were 'referring to Biden'