Biden, 81, tackles his age head on: President says 'when you get to be my age, certain things become clearer than ever' and hints Trump will 'lead with ancient ideas' in pivotal State of the Union speech

President Joe Biden, 81, tackled his age issue head-on during Thursday's State of the Union address, making jokes about it, but also hinting that his Republican rival, former President Donald Trump, 77, will lead with 'ancient' ideas. 

He got those in the chamber laughing when he said, 'I know I may not look like it, but I've been around awhile.' 

Biden then struck a more serious tone about the differences between he and Trump as leaders. 

'My fellow Americans, the issue facing our nation isn't how old we are, it's how old are our ideas,' the president said. 'Hate, anger, revenge, retribution are the oldest of ideas, but you can't lead America with ancient ideas and only take us back.'

He told the crowd that 'when you get to be my age, certain things become clearer than ever.' 

President Joe Biden, 81, tackled his age issue head-on during Thursday's State of the Union address, making jokes about it, but also hinting that his Republican rival, former President Donald Trump, 77, will lead with 'ancient' ideas

'I know the American story,' the 81-year-old said. 'Again and again I've seen the contest between competing forces in the battle for the soul of our nation.' 

'Between those who want to pull America back to the past and those that want to move America to the future,' Biden continued. 

'My lifetime has taught me to embrace freedom and democracy, a future based on core values that have defined America - honesty, decency, dignity, equality. To respect everyone. To give everyone a fair shot. To give hate no safe harbor,' the president added. 

He then alluded to his rival, Trump, as the general election kicked off this week in earnest, with Trump's final challenger, Republican presidential hopeful Nikki Haley, bowing out. 

'Other people my age see it differently,' Biden said. 'The American story of resentment, revenge and retribution.' 

'That's not me,' he said.

At least year's Conservative Political Action Conference, Trump told the crowd: 'I am your retribution.'

Biden then reminded voters of his folksy biography.  

'I was born amid World War Two, when America stood for the freedom of the world. I grew up in Scranton, Pennsylvania and Claymont, Delaware among working class people who built this country,' he said. 

'I watched in horror as two of my heroes - like many of you did - Dr. King and Bobby Kennedy were assassinated and their legacy inspired me - a career in service,' Biden continued. 

Kennedy's son, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is running against Biden in the general election as an independent. 

'I left a law firm and became a public defender because my city of Wilmington was the only city in American occupied by the national guard after Dr. King was assassinated, because of the riots,' he noted. 'I became a county councilman almost by accident. I got elected to the United States Senate when I had no intention of running at age 29.'

He then boasted about how he served alongside historic firsts noting he was 'the vice president to our first black president, now president to the first women vice president.' 

'In my career, I've been told I was too young,' he said. 'By the way they wouldn't let me on the Senate elevators for votes sometimes. Not a joke.'

'Now I've been told I'm too old,' he said. 

'Whether young or old I've always known - I've always known what endures,' the president said.

He spoke of the vision of every American being equal, something 'we've never fully lived up to' but something never to be walked away from either.

'And I won't walk away from it now,' Biden pledged. 

Biden said a future under his leadership would include defending democracy, restoring the 'right to choose' and ensuring the wealthy would pay their fair share of taxes.

'I see a future where we save the planet from the climate crisis and our country from gun violence,' he said, mentioning two important issues for younger voters. 

'Above all, I see a future for all Americans. I see a country for all Americans. And I will always be president for all Americans. Because I believe in America. I believe in you the American people,' he said. 'You're the reason we've never been more optimistic about our future than I am now. So let's build a future together.' 

Trump has said he doesn't even want Haley's former supporters to be a part of his MAGA movement. 

Biden brought up what is viewed as his biggest political liability as he wrapped up the speech. 

'Let me close with this,' the president said. 

When audienced members cheered, Biden joined them saying, 'Yayyy!' 

'I know you don't want to hear anymore Lindsey, but I've gotta say a few more things,' he said, giving a poke to his former friend turned MAGA Republican, Sen. Lindsey Graham.

He ended his speech with his trademark line about being optimistic about the future of the country. 

'Let's remember who we are. We're the United States of America and there's nothing, nothing beyond our capacity when we act together,' the president said.