President Donald Trump | Source: Getty Images
President Trump Wonders Why Joe Biden's Cancer Diagnosis Wasn't Revealed Sooner
His latest remarks come shortly after he penned a message on social media wishing his predecessor a fast and successful recovery from prostate cancer.
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At a press conference on May 19, 2025, following a Medal of Honor presentation to the family of a fallen police officer, President Donald Trump questioned why news of Joe Biden's cancer diagnosis had not been made public earlier.
President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, former President Joe Biden, and former First Lady Jill Biden during a farewell ceremony at the US Capitol on January 20, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
"I think it's very sad, actually," President Trump said. "I'm surprised that it wasn't, you know, the public wasn't notified a long time ago. Because to get to stage 9, it's a long time."
US President Joe Biden speaks to reporters on January 22, 2022 in Washington, D.C. | Source: Getty Images
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While the president referenced "stage 9," there is no such stage in cancer classification. Former President Biden is currently battling stage 4 prostate cancer. Stage 4 is the highest possible cancer stage, indicating the disease has spread beyond the prostate to other parts of the body.
The confusion likely stemmed from Biden's Gleason score of 9, a grading system used to evaluate the aggressiveness of prostate cancer, not its stage.
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Former President Biden's office confirmed the diagnosis, revealing that the cancer is "aggressive" and has metastasized to the bone.
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Following the news, Biden shared a photo on social media with former First Lady Jill Biden and their cat, expressing gratitude for the outpouring of support. "Thank you for lifting us up with love and support," he captioned the post.
President Trump had earlier posted a message on Instagram wishing Biden a "fast and successful recovery."
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