Last week one of my close friends asked me if I would watch the political debate between US President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump on CNN. I told them, “No.”

I knew exactly how it would go, and I was unprepared to watch the Democratic Party lose the unnecessary gamble it had wagered so early in the process. They deluded themselves and gaslit the nation into believing Biden was in fine form, when he wasn’t. They thought that he would probably lose the debate but not do as badly as he did. They thought they could deter Trump, or, it’s only June, and there’s time to recover.

As I predicted, it was a colossal disaster for the Democrats. Biden confirmed the old, spacey, vacuous caricature his opponents painted of him with a scathing condemnation of the political process. Social media was wrenching, with brutal real-time declarations of shock and awe responses going viral.

Political parties forget that social media makes it possible for everyone to be informed globally about geopolitical and political machinations. Gone are the days when I only had my parents’ or grandparents’ opinions about a politician or political party. Today, young people receive hundreds of views via Instagram, TikTok, and X, and they can decide how they feel. Therefore, their family may be Democrats, but based on where they hope to be, they prefer and subscribe to Republican economic policies for their future or vice versa.

The traditional media post-debate assessments were also fatally swift and clear that Biden had lost his staunchest defenders in the media: “This will be a wrenching choice. But, Mr President, one way you can serve you country in 2024 is by announcing your retirement and calling on the delegates to replace you for the safest course for our nation,” said Nicolas Kristof, The New York Times.

“Losing Morning Joe, Pod Save America and Rachel Maddow, and the MSNBC Nightly Team, and The New York Times, these pillars of the establishment and pied pipers of the Democratic groupthink is tough.” (Democratic Strategist)

People who were questioned after watching said they would have preferred different candidates on either side. The general public has expressed their general dissatisfaction in the established status quo and those political spokespersons who spend too much time relying on their past accomplishments rather than their commitment to the future.

Psychology studies indicate that narcissists are more involved in politics. Those higher in narcissism are disproportionately taking part in the democratic process, according to new research published in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin in 2020. Psychology also tells us that delusion among older adults is a feature that some may exhibit.

Some argue that, currently, too many politicians often make irrational choices rooted in narcissism and delusion. Could this be the case with the donkeys and the elephants in this United States presidential candidate election?

This is why, throughout our history, several leaders were elected whose main message was to chart a new course for the generations moving forward. They were anti-old-world political establishments and represented renewed appeals in their natural dress and carriage. Images and narratives that are important, especially to independent voters.

I recall when Justin Trudeau won his first election in Canada in 2015; Emmanuel Macron defeated National Rally’s leader Marine Le Pen in the first presidential elections in 2017; and, at 37 years old, Jacinda Adern was elected as New Zealand’s prime minister in New Zealand.

On January 19, 2023 Adern shocked the world by announcing her resignation as the 40th prime minister of New Zealand and leader of the Labour Party, saying, “I’m leaving because with such a privileged role comes responsibility… The responsibility to know when you are the right person to lead and also when you are not. I know what this job takes. And I know that I no longer have enough in the tank to do it justice. It’s that simple.”

Yet, today, Trudeau and Macron are still at the helms of their respective governments and battling to hold on. In Canada, the Conservative Party just won a seat in the middle of Toronto that Trudeau’s Liberals had held since the early 1990s — a blow to the prime minister ahead of a national election that had to take place before late October 2025 under current rules.

Pollsters and analysts predict President Macron appears poised for significant losses in this Sunday’s snap poll, which could see the rise of the far right based on how electors now feel about his leadership.

It’s always better to go when people still want you there, rather than waiting till it’s done and being asked to leave.

President Biden has served his country impressively and was once famous for being the youngest at 30 years (the minimum age required to hold the office). His entrance must have been propelled not just due to his political nature and intellect, but also because there was a vacancy.

At age 81, President Biden seeks to maintain his presidency after having already served as vice-president and president — two of the highest offices one can attain politically — a total of 12 years.

However, the ongoing questions about his current abilities due to age continue and will overshadow the stellar life of service he has given to his country.

This situation highlights the value of succession planning and creating opportunities for future generations.

Is it ideal to work until the very end?

President Barack Obama labels the debate performance as a bad night, but I believe it underscores the imagery that he might not be up to the task. As good as President Obama was, the candidacy of those that followed led US voters to vote for “anti-status quo” Donald Trump and, seemingly, if the optics don’t drastically turn around, this may very well be the outcome again.

The coming months will be critical as Americans will have to navigate between choosing to elect a convicted felon or a loving, imminent great-grandfather. Indeed, “In God We Trust.”

Lisa Hanna is Member of Parliament for St Ann South Eastern, People’s National Party spokesperson on foreign affairs and foreign trade, and a former Cabinet member