Former United States president Joe Biden has stated that he is “feeling good” and maintains optimism about his health, days after his office confirmed an aggressive form of prostate cancer diagnosis. The 82-year-old veteran Democrat delivered his first public remarks since the diagnosis while addressing reporters in Delaware, where he attended a delayed Memorial Day event on Friday. “Well, the prognosis is good. You know, we’re working on everything. It’s moving along. So, I feel good,” Biden said, adopting a defiant tone despite the severity of his illness.
Earlier this month, Biden’s office revealed that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer with a Gleason score of nine—a rating indicative of the most severe form of the disease. Initial reports also suggested that the cancer had metastasized to his bones, triggering widespread concern regarding his condition. However, Biden sought to reassure the public, stating that the cancer had not spread to any organs and his bones remained robust. “It’s not in any organ, my bones are strong, it hasn’t penetrated. So, I’m feeling good,” he reiterated. He added that he had finalized a treatment plan and remained hopeful about his prospects for recovery. “The expectation is, we’re going to be able to beat this,” he affirmed.
End of the Political Path
The announcement of Biden’s diagnosis came just days after a tumultuous political period in which the former president concluded his re-election bid following a widely criticized debate performance against Republican frontrunner Donald Trump. Biden’s advanced age and health had become central issues in the 2024 election campaign. His withdrawal ignited a political firestorm within the Democratic Party, leading to increasing scrutiny over the extent to which his cognitive and physical condition had been withheld from the public. That controversy escalated with the publication of Original Sin, a new book alleging that senior White House officials concealed signs of Biden’s cognitive decline during his presidency.
In response to questions about the book and the subsequent fallout, Biden responded with a blend of defiance and sarcasm. “I’m mentally incompetent and I can’t walk,” he quipped, before more seriously noting he had no regrets about seeking a second term. “They could have challenged me if they wanted to. They didn’t because I’d have beaten them,” he said of his Democratic critics.
Remembering Personal Loss
In a more poignant moment during his remarks in New Castle, Biden reflected on the 10th anniversary of his son Beau Biden’s death from brain cancer. Beau, a National Guard veteran who served in Iraq, passed away on May 30, 2015, at the age of 46. “For the Bidens, this day is the 10th anniversary, the loss of my son Beau, who spent a year in Iraq,” said Biden, who had earlier attended a private memorial service for his son. “And, to be honest, it’s a hard day.” Biden also utilized the opportunity to renew his calls for improved treatment for veterans, highlighting it as a cornerstone of his public service legacy.
The former president concluded his public appearance by expressing confidence in his medical team, noting that he is being treated by one of the world’s leading surgeons. “We’re all optimistic about the diagnosis,” he said.
