Characterized as "wheezy," "creaky," "tottering," and closely resembling the "decrepit" USSR right before its collapse, American leadership is, to put it simply, very old. And while there is no doubt that a disproportionate number of those in power — whether in government, business or academia — are older than the general population, does this mean we live in a gerontocracy?
The idea that we live in a gerontocracy — a system of governance in which elders rule — has grown in prevalence as the median age of members of Congress has increased, but it was elevated to a truism when the two oldest newly-elected presidents in the country's history — Donald Trump and Joe Biden — were elected back-to-back. Biden became, at the moment he took office, the oldest president ever and all three of the most senior members of House Democratic leadership — Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and Majority Whip Jim Clyburn — are over 80. At 71, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is comparatively young. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is 80.
