- Rep. Mike Gallagher said Trump is simply too old to be the GOP’s presidential nominee.
- Gallagher, who is 39, told a Milwaukee TV station that he has “a no-boomer policy right now.”
- Trump, 77, was previously the oldest person to become president until Biden surpassed him.
Republican Rep. Mike Gallagher made clear that he won’t support former President Donald Trump in the GOP primary, arguing that his party’s frontrunner is simply too old for the job.
“You know, obviously, I prefer someone younger to be the nominee,” Gallagher, who represents Wisconsin, told WISN 12 NEWS, a local Milwaukee TV station.
Gallagher, who leads the powerful select committee on China, added that he has a hard generational line that Trump doesn’t pass.
“I have a no-boomer policy right now,” Gallagher, 39, said. “No boomers for nominee.”
Trump, who is 77, was born right at the beginning of the “Baby Boom” generation in June 1946. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Trump’s currently best-positioned challenger, is 44. There’s not an exact science to generational lines, but DeSantis would be considered part of Generation X.
As Insider previously reported, while there is some debate about former President Barack Obama’s status, an argument could be made that the US has never had a Generation X president. At just 38 years old, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, who was the focus of the first debate, would be the nation’s first millennial president.
Gallagher said he “intend[s] to support the nominee” when repeatedly pressed on what he would do if Trump reclaims the title.
“So, we’ll see where it goes with the nomination. I want to see that we have the strongest candidate, but I intend to support the nominee.”
Gallagher has previously criticized Trump on multiple occasions, including after the January 6 Capitol riot. Viewed as a rising star, Gallagher flirted with running against Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin as she seeks reelection in a closely-watched race next November. Gallagher ultimately decided to stay in the House, citing the need to focus on his China committee work.
When asked what he would do if Trump won the nomination, Gallagher would only say “I intend to support the nominee.” He also made it clear he wouldn’t vote for Biden. Interestingly, Gallagher’s no-boomer policy would have a loophole if applied to the current president.
Biden, who at 80 is the oldest president in history, is actually a member of the Silent Generation.
