Former President Joe Biden opened up about his prostate cancer diagnosis and the news caused quite a stir among the public.
While many offered support, some critics, particularly MAGA supporters, questioned why didn’t disclose the news of his cancer earlier, pointing out that while prostate cancer is typically slow-growing, his had already aggressively spread to his bones.
Among those who questioned Biden’s transparency were President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, who claimed Biden knew about the diagnosis during his presidency.
While he did express his sadness over Biden’s diagnosis, Trump also said at the time, “I think it’s very sad, actually. I’m surprised that… the public wasn’t notified a long time ago because to get to stage nine [the stage of disease that Biden faces is] that’s a long time.”
He added that “somebody is not telling the facts. … It’s a big problem.”
Dr Ezekiel Emanuel, who took part in crafting the the Obama-era Affordable Care Act, shared on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” that Biden likely had cancer while serving as a president.
Biden started treatment right away, including radiation and hormone therapy, and said earlier this month that he was going “really well.” However, his son Hunter Biden said in a lengthy interview with with BBC Newsnight that despite the treatments, his father’s cancer had spread to his bones.
“The cancer has spread, is metastasized into his bones and further,” Biden said.
“It’s very painful, and it’s very debilitating in many respects, but he’s still out there. He’s still doing his thing…he so believes in this country.”
His wife, former first lady Jill Biden, also shared her thoughts and fears regarding how Biden’s battle with cancer is developing. Speaking on the Jaime Kern Lima Show, she admitted the weight of what they are facing together.
“Of course I’m scared,” she said. “I mean, first of all, he’s almost 10 years older than I am. And with an illness… you kinda can’t let your head go there.
“It’s like, you can’t imagine life without them. But you know they’re going to die — just like I know I’m going to die,” she said, adding that “So part of it, you accept.”
According to Jill, Joe has shown immense strength since his diagnosis, carrying his fears privately without sharing them. “He has always been the strength of our family,” she noted. While the situation is undeniably difficult, they refuse to get bogged down by the struggle, preferring instead to focus on making the most of the time they have.
“We can’t look at life that way… We look at it like, ‘Joe has cancer. He’s gonna die, so let’s make the most of every moment.’
“Let’s be together … let’s find things that bring us joy. Let’s make this a positive journey’ — I mean, not a negative journey, because how can you live with that every day?” she added. “You can’t. It’s too heavy.”
