The Democratic Party criticized President Donald Trump following self-praising remarks he made about his physical abilities during a meeting with NASA astronauts.

Trump's Comments at the White House

The president’s comments sparked backlash, with Democrats mocking his claims on social media. The incident occurred on Wednesday during a meeting with the Artemis II astronauts at the White House.

At 79 years old, Trump highlighted his own fitness while congratulating the astronauts on their historic achievement. “To get in there, you have to be very smart. You have to do a lot of things physically good,” Trump said, referring to the demands of being an astronaut. “So I would have had no trouble making it. I’m physically very, very good.”

Questioning Presidential Space Travel

He then jokingly questioned NASA administrator Jared Isaacman about the possibility of a president participating in a space mission. “Maybe a little bit of a problem, I don’t know, Jared,” Trump said. “We’ll have to try it sometime. Is a president allowed to go up in one of these missions?”

Democratic Response

Democrats quickly shared a clip of the exchange on X, mocking Trump’s comments with a photo of the president and a caption featuring his quote. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the Democrats’ criticism.

Astronaut Fitness Requirements

Becoming an astronaut requires rigorous physical training to endure the challenges of long-duration spaceflight. Candidates must pass demanding fitness tests, including swimming 75 meters in a pool without stopping, followed by another 75 meters while wearing a flight suit.

Other requirements include deadlifting at least 100 percent of one’s body weight and bench pressing 70 percent of one’s body weight. Based on his weight from last year, Trump would need to deadlift 224 pounds and bench press 155 pounds to qualify.

Previous Claims of Athleticism

Trump’s comments about his physical prowess are not new. Earlier this year, he spoke to collegiate student athletes about his love for sports and their positive influence on his life. “I know what it is to win in sports, and win in life,” he told the NCAA champions. “But to win in sports is, uh, I always say it’s a microcosm of life.”

He also addressed the Georgia Bulldogs and the NCAA Women’s Tennis champions, stating, “Winning in tennis, that’s a tough thing to do. I played tennis a little bit. Not quite at that level. Not quite.”

Concerns about Trump’s physical and mental health have grown, with reports highlighting gaffes and lapses in memory. His fitness has become a topic of debate, especially as he continues to make bold claims about his abilities despite his age.