Former US President Joe Biden appeared in public on Friday for the first time since announcing that he has been diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer. Speaking briefly to reporters at Bradley International Airport in Connecticut, where he was attending his grandson’s graduation, the 82-year-old said he was “feeling great” despite the illness. He was accompanied by his wife, former First Lady Jill Biden.
Biden’s office confirmed on May 18 that he had been diagnosed with an aggressive, hormone-sensitive form of prostate cancer that has metastasized to his bones. The announcement has raised questions among medical professionals regarding how such an advanced condition could have gone undetected.
Experts pointed out that a Gleason score of 9, which indicates a high-grade cancer, is typically discovered through routine screenings. A spokesperson for Biden revealed that the former president had not undergone a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test since 2014 and had not received any prior diagnosis of prostate cancer.
The diagnosis has prompted a political backlash. President Donald Trump accused Biden’s aides of using the situation to implement unauthorized policies during his administration, calling the alleged actions “treason at the highest level.” Vice President J.D. Vance questioned Biden’s leadership, stating, “I don’t think he was able to do a good job for the American people.”
Senators Ron Johnson and John Cornyn have called for formal investigations into whether Biden’s health condition was hidden while he was in office. Johnson told Axios that he plans to summon “a couple dozen people” with direct knowledge of Biden’s health. Cornyn issued a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi demanding an inquiry into whether the public was intentionally misled.
The revelation comes amid new claims from a book titled Original Sin, which alleges that members of Biden’s staff deliberately concealed signs of cognitive decline during his presidency. The report has reignited debate over Biden’s decision to seek re-election in 2024. He ultimately withdrew from the race following a poor debate performance.
Biden has denied allegations of mental decline, saying, “There’s nothing to sustain that.” Despite the Democratic Party’s loss in the 2024 presidential election, Biden has maintained that he could have won had he stayed in the race.
