While Being Interviewed for a Position at a Research Firm

While being interviewed for a position at a research firm, 39-year-old Grover is asked, "Since you're significantly older than our usual candidate, we're concerned that hiring you could lead to a need to replace you sooner than another applicant when you retire." If Grover does not get the job, would he be able to claim that he was a victim of age discrimination?

A) ​No, because only workers over the age of 40 are protected from age discrimination in the United States of America.
B) No, because age discrimination can only be applied in cases of denial of early retirement requests.​
C) ​Yes, because he was clearly not hired due to his age and not on the basis of his skills.
D) ​Yes, because even younger job applicants are protected from being discriminated against on the basis of their age.