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'Go back to the '90s': Internet slams Monica Lewinsky as she calls for presidential age limits and ban on self-pardons

'Not to be ageist, but there should also be a retirement age for elected officials,' Monica Lewinsky wrote

WASHINGTON, DC: Former White House intern Monica Lewinsky called for a mandatory age limit for presidential nomination as well a ban on presidential self-pardons in an opinion piece published by Vanity Fair earlier this week. 

The 50-year-old activist, whose affair with Bill Clinton brought her to the limelight and led to the former president's 1998 impeachment, shared her thoughts on the US Constitution and called for major changes in the presidential election in an article titled, 'We the People…Demand More Amendments!'.

What did Monica Lewinsky write about presidential age limits? 

In her opinion piece, Lewinsky pointed out, "Per the Constitution, you cannot be a US House representative until age 25, nor a senator until age 30. And you can forget about running for the highest office until age 35."

"Not to be ageist, but there should also be a retirement age for elected officials as well as term limits, especially when you consider that long-term decisions can impact the citizens, the nation, and the world for years after you’ve served your time in office," she stated. 

"Consider that presidents 45 (who is on the cusp) and 46, along with the oldest serving senator (Iowa Republican Chuck Grassley, age 90), are part of the Silent Generation. They are five generations away from Gen Alpha, and four generations away from the people for whom 2024 will be their first election," Lewinsky wrote. 

"Of course, there are arguments to be made for experience, especially in governmental institutions and political systems," she continued, adding, "But for elected officials there is a point at which such qualifications risk being overshadowed by mental calcification and cultural deafness."

While Lewinsky did not mention any names, her opinion piece came just a few days after President Joe Biden turned 81 and became the oldest president in US history while also running for a second term in the 2024 presidential elections.

Internet calls out Monica Lewinsky over demand for presidential age limits

The Internet was not on board with Lewinsky's demand for establishing presidential age limits and took to social media to call out the former White House intern. 

"She should go back to the 90's," one wrote. "And why exactly does her opinion matter?" another asked. 

"LOL and what precisely are her qualifications again?" one mocked. "Based on what expertise?" another echoed. 

One said, "She needs to shut her mouth," while another asked, "Remind me why she’s famous?"

Monica Lewinsky' apparent dig at Donald Trump 

In her opinion piece, Lewinsky also seemingly took a jibe at Donald Trump. While she did name the former president, Lewinsky said her op-ed was inspired by discussions on whether the 14th Amendment barred anyone from holding public office if they engaged in an insurrection.

"The fact that Amendment 14 is the only place that addresses the disqualification of a candidate for such behavior is—to use an erudite term—bonkers," she wrote.

"How. Is. This. Possible? Why don’t we have more protections?" Lewinsky asked.

She also condemned the process of self-pardon, writing, "Our Constitution is not a game of Monopoly. For the head of the executive branch, there should not be a 'get out of jail free' card."

"In other words, presidents should not be able to pardon themselves. They should not be able to wield the most power of anyone in our country and not be held responsible for illegal or unconstitutional actions while wielding that power," Lewinsky opined.