Former President Joe Biden revealed over the weekend that he has been diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer. His office described the cancer as “aggressive” and noted its “hormonal sensitivity,” but also suggested it might be managed effectively.
This news has led to an outpouring of sympathy from various quarters, including President Donald Trump, who expressed sadness over the diagnosis and extended well wishes to Biden’s family. He hopes for a swift recovery for the former president.
However, while initial reactions were sympathetic, there’s a growing skepticism among many. Medical experts typically state that advanced prostate cancer doesn’t show up suddenly, especially if, as Biden’s statement indicates, it has spread to his bones.
Most men over 50 are regularly screened for prostate cancer, and given the scrutiny surrounding U.S. presidents, it’s likely Biden underwent thorough testing for such conditions, particularly since prostate cancer affects about one in seven men in their lifetime.
Dr. Ezekiel Emmanuel, an oncologist and Democratic policy adviser, commented on MSNBC that Biden must have been unwell for a considerable period, suggesting he likely had the illness during his presidency since 2021.
Interestingly, in 2022, Biden mentioned a personal connection to cancer when talking about environmental issues in Delaware, which has one of the highest cancer rates in the U.S. This prior mention was dismissed as another example of Biden’s notorious verbal slip-ups, but looking back, it raises some questions.
Why did Biden and his team wait so long to inform the public about his cancer diagnosis, and why reveal it now? During his 2020 campaign at age 77, Biden faced intense scrutiny regarding his health, especially since many raised concerns about his cognitive abilities. His age became a focal point for opponents, who questioned whether he could fulfill such a demanding role.
If he had disclosed a severe illness back then, it’s plausible he might not have secured the nomination or beaten Donald Trump in what was a tightly contested election.
Following a year in office, doubts about Biden’s fitness persisted, with opinion polls showing that only about 40% believed he was “healthy.” This highlights the ongoing concerns regarding his public image.
The timing of this diagnosis also intersects with recent revelations about Biden’s declining health, including an audio excerpt where he was described as an “older man with bad memories.” A forthcoming book set to release on Tuesday will delve further into Biden’s efforts to conceal his health issues from the public.
These new details raise accusations not just against the White House but the broader Democratic circles and media outlets for not leveling with the American public regarding Biden’s condition. This perceived lack of transparency has affected trust in the party and the media.
Internally, some Democrats are upset about Biden’s decision to continue his political aspirations. They’d rather see him step back, but clearly, he has other intentions, as indicated by his recent public appearances, which have been met with mixed reactions.
David Axelrod, a Democrat ally, stated on CNN that while discussions about Biden’s health have been sidelined due to the cancer announcement, it’s unclear if the strategy was fruitful. If the intention was to garner sympathy or divert attention from negative narratives arising from former staff and disgruntled Democrats, it appears the attempt hasn’t fully succeeded.
The former president may be battling illness, but the broader implications regarding his handling of his health and its political ramifications are significant and possibly scandalous.
