Biden diagnosed with ‘aggressive’ cancer; Trump reacts

Former President Joe Biden, 82, has been diagnosed with an ‘aggressive’ form of prostate cancer that has spread to his bones, according to a statement from his personal office. 

“Last week, President Joe Biden was seen for a new finding of a prostate nodule after experiencing increasing urinary symptoms. On Friday, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, characterized by a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5) with metastasis to the bone,” the statement said.

“While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive which allows for effective management,” it added. 

The statement noted that Biden and his family are exploring treatment options with his doctors. 

Biden addressed the diagnosis on Monday, writing on X, “Cancer touches us all. Like so many of you, Jill and I have learned that we are strongest in the broken places. Thank you for lifting us up with love and support.”

President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump offered their support for the frail former president. 

“Melania and I are saddened to hear about Joe Biden’s recent medical diagnosis. We extend our warmest and best wishes to Jill and the family, and we wish Joe a fast and successful recovery,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. 

Social media erupted over the news of Biden’s health, with many questioning the timeline of his diagnosis. 

“In 2022 Biden said he had cancer. We were told it was just a ‘gaffe.’ How long did they know for? Who decided to cover it up? These people lied to our faces for four years. They need to be held accountable!” popular right-wing creator Libs of TikTok posted on X, along with a video of Biden’s so-called “gaffe.”

Podcaster Matt Walsh slammed the news as “the most cynical thing I’ve ever seen in American politics.”

“It's astounding, truly. Biden has stage 4 cancer. There is no way in hell they just caught it now. They knew it, probably for years, and lied to the American people,” Walsh insisted. “And then they waited until two days before a book comes out about the cover up of his mental decline so that they could change the subject and quiet all criticism in the name of ‘compassion’ for a sick man. The whole thing is so transparent. These people are evil beyond words.”

“In 2024, then-President Biden's physician claimed he was a ‘healthy, active, robust 81-year-old male, who remains fit to successfully execute the duties of the Presidency.’ One year later, Biden is diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer with metastasis,” Entrepreneur Jason Howerton wrote. “This is a scandal.”

According to the Mayo Clinic, prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer and is “usually found early.” It often grows slowly, and “most people with prostate cancer are cured.” While prostate cancer may not cause symptoms at first, most prostate cancers are found at an early stage. 

Dr. Zeke Emanuel, an American oncologist and bioethicist, said Biden likely knew about his cancer diagnosis in 2021 at the beginning of his one-term presidency. 

“He did not develop it in the last hundred, two hundred days. He had it while he was president. He probably had it at the start of his presidency in 2021,” Emanuel said during an appearance on MSNBC. “I don't think there's any disagreement about that.”