Donald Trump says he has told Fox News' Sean Hannity not to joke about President Biden's cognitive ability

Former President Donald Trump speaks at his Mar-a-Lago estate Tuesday, April 4, 2023, in Palm Beach, Florida. AP Photo/Evan Vucci

• Trump says he told Fox News host Sean Hannity not to joke about Joe Biden's cognitive ability.
• The former president said he doesn't think it looks good for anyone to joke about a "serious problem."
• Trump also expressed concern for a fall Biden had in a rare moment of goodwill.

Former President Donald Trump said he had told Fox News host Sean Hannity not to joke about President Joe Biden's cognitive ability.

Trump participated in a town hall event with Hannity in Iowa on Thursday, and the pair discussed Biden having fallen at the Air Force Academy commencement ceremony earlier in the day.

"It's sad," Trump said. "That was a bad fall."

Hannity then noted that the former president is generally reluctant to attack Biden over his cognitive state and physical fitness, while the Fox News host stated that he is not reluctant to speak about it.

"Does anyone agree with me that this guy is cognitively not there? I doubt he knows what day of the week it is today," Hannity said.

"I asked Sean not to joke about it. Because he used to joke about it," Trump said. "And I said, honestly, I don't think it looks good for you or for anybody for you to joke about it because it's a serious problem."

"You can speak about it if you want, but I don't think you should joke about it," Trump said. 

The comments come as a rare moment of goodwill between the political rivals.

Despite generally being very critical of Biden, Trump appears to be sympathetic toward him regarding his physical and mental well-being.

He previously also expressed concern for Biden after he fell off his bicycle last year.

At 80, Biden is the oldest person to have served as president of the United States, and his mental and physical fitness will likely be a source of debate as he seeks re-election next year.

Trump, who is 76, could face similar questions. 

Trump and Hannity also discussed an incident during Trump's presidency where he appeared to struggle while walking down a slippery ramp after giving the commencement address at West Point.

"You can't fall. You just can't fall, no matter what. You just can't allow it to happen. I better not allow it, especially after saying this, I better not allow it to happen with me," Trump said.