Former President Joe Biden spoke publicly for the first time about his cancer diagnosis on Friday, expressing an optimistic outlook and stating, “We’re going to be able to beat this.” The 82-year-old revealed that he has begun treatment for an aggressive form of prostate cancer that has metastasized to his bones.
Speaking to reporters following a Memorial Day service in New Castle, Delaware, Biden shared, “Well, the prognosis is good you know, we’re working on everything, it’s moving along. I feel good. All the folks are optimistic.” He detailed his current treatment regimen, which involves taking a pill for six weeks before transitioning to another oral medication. Biden noted that he is under the care of a leading surgeon who was diagnosed with the same type of cancer three decades ago.
“The expectation is we’re going to be able to beat this,” Biden affirmed. “It’s not in any organ, it’s in – my bones are strong, it hadn’t penetrated. So, I’m feeling good.”
Biden’s comments mark his first public acknowledgment of the cancer diagnosis he received two weeks prior. His remarks also come amidst renewed scrutiny regarding his mental and physical well-being, following the release of a new book detailing alleged signs of decline during his final year in office. “You can see that. I’m mentally incompetent and I can’t walk,” Biden quipped in response to these concerns.
When questioned about Democrats who might doubt his decision to run for reelection, Biden retorted, “Why didn’t they run against me then? Because I would have beaten them.” He added, “I don’t have any regrets. There’s a lot going on. And I think we’re in a really difficult moment, not only in American history, in world history. I think we’re at one of those inflection points in history where the decisions we make in the next little bit are going to determine what things look like for the next 20 years.”
Biden delivered his remarks after a Memorial Day service where he passionately defended democracy and the nation’s founding ideals, emphasizing that “every generation has to fight to maintain that democracy.” The event also coincided with the tenth anniversary of the passing of his son, Beau Biden, from glioblastoma. Biden shared the personal significance of the day, saying, “I know for many of you, Memorial Day, like for us, is deeply personal. For the Bidens, this day is the 10th anniversary of the loss of my son Beau, who spent a year in Iraq. And to be honest, it’s a hard day. Being with all of you, quite frankly, makes things a little bit easier. It really does. So, thank you for allowing me to grieve with you.”
Biden was accompanied by Beau’s son Hunter at the event, and the Biden family attended a private mass earlier in the day to commemorate Beau’s passing. In his address, Biden also paid tribute to service members and cautioned against political interference within the military.
Concluding his remarks, Biden urged the audience to “renew our pledge to honor our heroes” and to protect the country’s democratic values. He emphasized the enduring importance of the sacrifices made by those who have served and the ongoing responsibility of each generation to defend democracy.
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