Jill Biden Discusses Joe Biden’s Health Challenges

On Tuesday, Jill Biden shared some insights about her husband, former President Joe Biden, indicating that he’s facing difficulties with his cancer treatment. She expressed uncertainty about whether he would have been able to serve a second term if he had been re-elected in 2024.

After leaving the White House, Joe Biden was diagnosed with stage IV prostate cancer in May 2025, which had metastasized to his bones. He completed radiation therapy in October.

“Cancer is really hard,” she mentioned during an appearance on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” part of her promotion for her recently released memoir, “View from the East Wing.”

She added, “I think he’s okay, but cancer takes its toll. He gets tired more often than I’d like, but I don’t know… it was tough.” There’s a certain weight in her words, reflecting the reality of living with someone undergoing such a tough battle.

Jill also expressed bewilderment over the delay in Joe’s diagnosis, stating, “We had great medical care in the White House, so it’s puzzling that it was overlooked.” She acknowledged that doctors generally follow guidelines that discourage prostate cancer testing for men over 70.

In her memoir, she reveals that throughout his last year in office, Joe often woke up at night for bathroom breaks. Yet, she respected his need for privacy, discussing concerns about his health only with her doctor and not directly with him.

Despite being aware of his urological issues, Jill mentioned that she didn’t broach the subject of her own menopausal symptoms with him. “I knew he preferred to talk about his health with a male doctor,” she wrote, adding that she informed his medical team about her concerns, believing Joe would eventually get tested. However, she never anticipated that a common aging issue could actually stem from cancer.

After leaving office, his symptoms worsened, prompting him to seek a urologist who ultimately diagnosed him with cancer. Jill noted that they were both surprised when questions arose about his missed prostate exams, to which she pondered, “That was a question I had too.”

Joe Biden’s physical and cognitive abilities have been a significant topic during his presidential term, and Jill noted the presence of a team of doctors around them. She recalled being “scared to death” after witnessing her husband’s performance during a final debate, where he seemed to struggle with answers. However, post-debate, they checked with the doctor, who reassured them, saying, “He’s fine.”

When asked if Joe could remain in office until January 2029, she replied, “I don’t know. I don’t know the answer to that.” Yet, she also expressed her belief that “I think Donald Trump would have won that election,” but added a note of skepticism regarding defeat on July 21, 2024.

Overall, Jill Biden has kept her discussions fairly focused during interviews, often avoiding direct commentary on the current president.