Newsom rejects claims of cognitive decline: 'I'd take Joe Biden at 100 over Ron DeSantis'
President Joe Biden is having better news this week, with Senate wins and an end to his Covid bout. (OLIVIER DOULIERY/AFP)

California Governor Gavin Newsom Thursday evening slammed his debate competitor, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, saying he'd take President Joe Biden at 100 years old over DeSantis "any day of the week."

Newsom and DeSantis traded barbs at the debate, with the former condemning the latter for purportedly offensive attacks that "demean the LGBTQ community."

Later in the debate, host Sean Hannity asked about what he says is the president's "significant cognitive decline."

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"And in other words, it is the toughest job in the world. Is Joe Biden experiencing this cognitive decline, is it a danger to the country?" the host asked.

DeSantis replied, "Yes, he is in decline. Yes, it is a danger to the country. He has no business running for president," DeSantis said. "And Gavin Newsom agrees with that. He won't say that. That is why he is running his shadow campaign. He should not be running. He is not up to the job. And it is dangerous for this country."

Newsom then replied, "I will take Joe Biden at 100 versus Ron DeSantis any day of the week at any age."