Joe Biden wins: What happens if US oldest president dies in office?

He’s the oldest person in history to win a US presidential election. Here’s what happens if Joe Biden can’t complete his term for any reason.

JOE Biden smashed the record for oldest person to win a US presidential election at the age of 77 and many political experts are convinced he won’t seek a second term at the age of 81.

After a series of gaffes on the campaign trail, there has also been plenty of whispering about what would happen if Mr Biden died in office or was unable to complete his term because of mental or physical frailty.

Joe Biden has admitted that his selection of Kamala Harris was vital. Picture: Getty

The man himself admitted back in January that his age meant his selection of a Vice President was vital.

That’s because the Constitution says the VP automatically takes over if the President dies in office.

“Whoever I pick … must be capable of being president because I’m an old guy,” he said.

This is why the Vice Presidential debate between VP Mike Pence and Biden’s running mate Kamala Harris drew so much interest.

Would she be up to the job if her boss could not continue in the White House?

People celebrate at Times Square in New York after Joe Biden was declared winner of the 2020 presidential election. Picture: AFP

“I think she is bright as can be,” Mr Biden said of Ms Harris.

“She can do anything from the court to being attorney general to being vice president to being a cabinet member to staying in the Senate.”

Kamala Harris will take the reins if Joe Biden dies or cannot complete his term.

Donald Trump asked his supporters: “Kamala do you like her? You like her to be your first female president? If he gets elected, three weeks into his presidency they’ll say, ‘Kamala are you ready? Let’s go.’ That’s why they’re talking about the 25th Amendment. Three weeks in, ‘Joe’s shot, Kamala let’s go, you ready?”

Lyndon B. Johnson, with then Australian PM Harold Holt, famously took over the US presidency when JFK was assassinated.

The most famous example of this transition of power happened after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy when Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn in as leader of the free world on Air Force One, widow Jacqueline Kennedy, still in a pink suit splattered with blood, standing at Mr Johnson’s side.

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Originally published as Joe Biden wins: What happens if US oldest president dies in office?