Former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive and advanced form of prostate cancer, a development that has sparked concern across political lines while also raising new questions about the timeline and transparency of his medical care during and after his presidency. The 82-year-old was diagnosed on Friday, according to a statement released by his office on Sunday. His cancer has reportedly spread to the bone, making it a stage IV condition with a serious prognosis.
Biden’s office said that the diagnosis followed increasing urinary symptoms and a recent evaluation that revealed a nodule on his prostate. Doctors assigned a Gleason score of 9 to the cancer, classifying it as Grade Group 5 — the most severe category on the scale used to measure prostate cancer progression.
The news prompted immediate public statements from current and former political figures. Former President Donald Trump released a statement on Truth Social extending best wishes for a full recovery on behalf of himself and former First Lady Melania Trump. Former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama also expressed support and prayers for Biden’s recovery.
Initial reactions on social media included expressions of sympathy and solidarity. Donald Trump Jr., the former president’s eldest son, first echoed those sentiments by wishing Biden a “speedy recovery.” However, his stance shifted within hours. He later questioned how the cancer had not been detected earlier, suggesting a potential lapse in medical oversight or a broader coverup.
Trump Jr. referenced a claim by physician Dr. Steven Quay, who noted that prostate cancer is typically easy to detect in its early stages through routine testing. Dr. Quay asserted that it was highly unusual for the disease to be first diagnosed at a metastatic stage and speculated that the cancer may have been present during Biden’s time in office.
What I want to know is how did Dr. Jill Biden miss stage five metastatic cancer or is this yet another coverup??? pic.twitter.com/fSqtDmcX4p
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) May 18, 2025
The Department of Homeland Security responded to questions about whether Coast Guard or federal health operations had been impacted by political decisions during previous administrations. They stated that the Coast Guard remains fully staffed and that the incident was not related to any lapse in vessel or health monitoring protocols.
The White House has confirmed that Biden and his family are consulting with physicians about treatment options. Medical experts explain that the most common treatment for this form of prostate cancer involves reducing testosterone levels, as the hormone can fuel the cancer’s growth. Biden’s medical history includes previous skin cancer removals and a lesion extracted from his chest in early 2023. His most recent presidential physical in February 2024 declared him “fit to serve.”
Following Biden’s diagnosis, conversations have resurfaced regarding his health and capability during his presidency, particularly his final year in office. Reports in development, including a forthcoming book by journalists Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson, are expected to explore the extent to which aides were aware of Biden’s condition and how they managed concerns internally. According to early previews, some aides reportedly discussed the possibility of Biden using a wheelchair if he had pursued reelection in 2024.
Vice President Kamala Harris, who assumed the Democratic nomination following Biden’s exit from the race, issued a brief statement expressing support and confidence in Biden’s resilience. The transition in leadership reportedly caused tension within Biden’s political circle and sparked wider conversations within the Democratic Party about how Biden’s condition was handled and communicated.
Biden’s fall during a commencement speech at the U.S. Air Force Academy in June 2023 was cited at the time as a moment that fueled speculation about his physical condition. Combined with reports of gait instability and reduced stamina, such moments have contributed to ongoing public discourse about the health of aging political leaders.
Trump’s, Obama’s, and Bush’s medical exams are all easily accessible.
Biden’s isn’t.
They covered it up.
This might be the biggest scandal in modern history. pic.twitter.com/44d2YnuNYr
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) May 19, 2025
As federal agencies continue to coordinate with Biden’s medical team, the administration has emphasized that all treatment decisions will be made transparently and in consultation with healthcare professionals. Further updates on his condition are expected as the situation develops.
