Biden to critics: I might not debate well, talk smoothly again — but I speak the truth

US President Joe Biden says he is fit to run for a second term in office despite his old age.

Biden spoke on the heels of his feeble performance in Thursday’s presidential debate with Donald Trump, his predecessor.

Analysis of the performances of Biden and Trump during the debate showed that the US president had done himself little favours on the night.

The president’s verbal slip-ups and sometimes rambling answers during the debate intensified voters’ worries about his ability to serve another four-year term.

This also led some fellow Democrats to question whether they could replace Biden as their candidate for the November 5 presidential poll.

Defending himself at a rally on Friday, the US president acknowledged that age has affected his fluency but insisted that he “could do the job”.

“I don’t walk as easily as I used to, I don’t speak as smoothly as I used to, and I don’t debate as well as I used to, but I know what I do know is how to tell the truth,” the 81-year-old told a cheering crowd, chanting “Four more years”.

“I know right from wrong, and I know how to do this job. I know how to get things done, and I know, like millions of Americans know, — when you get knocked down, you get back up.

“I would not be running again if I didn’t believe with all my heart and soul that I could do this job. The stakes are too high.”

Questions about Trump’s fitness for office have also arisen over his conviction last month in New York for covering up hush money payments to a porn star, his efforts to overturn the 2020 election, and his chaotic term in office.