Politics

Elon Musk Sparks Debate: Should Aging Politicians Undergo Cognitive Testing?

By Grace Kilander · December 28, 2024

Tech entrepreneur Elon Musk has called for mandatory cognitive assessments for elected officials after reports surfaced about the health of 81-year-old Congresswoman Kay Granger (R-Texas). Granger, who had been absent from Capitol Hill since July 2024, was recently found residing in a memory care facility specializing in dementia care. 

Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, expressed his concerns on social media platform X, stating, “Maybe we should have some basic cognitive tests for elected officials? This is getting crazy.”

As America’s political leaders age, with the average age of Congress members over 60, the debate over cognitive health is intensifying. The tech Billionaire’s proposal has sparked a robust social media debate, with some supporting it for ensuring competent leadership, while others warn of age discrimination.

At 81, President Joe Biden has faced growing scrutiny over his health, with critics pointing to verbal gaffes and instances of confusion as potential signs of cognitive decline. Although Biden’s physician has consistently assured the public that the president is in good health for his age, these concerns have sparked calls for greater transparency and become a point of political debate.

Recent polls suggest that a significant portion of the public shares these concerns. A June 2024 survey conducted by the Harvard Gazette found that 75% of voters support regular cognitive testing for elected officials over the age of 75. 

Experts caution that while cognitive tools like the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) can assess mental sharpness, they may also risk age discrimination and unfairly target older officials. Legal experts warn that implementing such measures could face constitutional obstacles.