Latest news with #BidenDiagnosis
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Residents offer support for President Joe Biden after cancer diagnosis
Messages of support poured into Delaware Online/The News Journal after his weekend announcement that he had prostate cancer. While most of the messages originated from the First State, residents from around the United States wanted to encourage the 46th president. On May 19, Biden announced that on May 13, a small nodule was found in his prostate. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer, with metastasis to the bone on May 16. To send a message, use this link. Messages appear as submitted. Dear President Biden, When I heard about your diagnosis, I was very sad. But I know you are strong, and will handle this health challenge as you have handled every challenge in your life. You are one of the finest people in this world. I am thinking of you, and will think of you every day. Warmest wishes to you, now and always. Anne Turner, Glen Mills, Pennsylvania Dear President Biden, As a fellow Delawarean, I want to extend my heartfelt support to you during this challenging time. I have followed your remarkable journey from our beloved First State to the highest office in the land, and I have always been proud to call you one of our own. Your resilience, compassion, and unwavering dedication have inspired generations, both here in Delaware and across the nation. Thank you for your decades of service, your steadfast leadership, and your deep commitment to the people you represent. Your strength in the face of adversity has always been a source of hope, and I know you will approach this diagnosis with the same courage and determination that have defined your life. Please know that Delaware stands with you, and we are all wishing you comfort, healing, and peace. Thank you for everything you have done for our state and our country. With deepest respect and gratitude, Dawn Waring McCaleb, Wilmington Dear President Joe Biden. My prayers go out to you and your family. I know you are a man of great faith and believe so keep going and flashing that big smile. God bless you and thank you MR President! Angela White, Townsend Dear President Biden: I would like to send my warmest wishes and hopes for your speedy recovery. God bless you and Jill. Peter Miller, Prospect, Connecticut Dear President Biden, I am so sorry to hear about the cancer diagnosis you have recently shared. Please know I so appreciate all your years of service to our country. History will remember you as one of our greatest and most effective presidents. I would have been happy and proud to have voted for you for another term. What a life well done! If our government was full of people as good as you, what a country we would have. All my appreciation and respect. Beverly Dillon, Grand Rapids, Michigan Dear President Biden. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Love from your friends from St. Hedwig's in Wilmington Ann Monroe, Wilmington You got this Joe! Keith Erb, Wilmington Dear President Biden, Please accept our very best wishes for a rapid return to health after your prostate cancer diagnosis. My husband recently received a similar diagnosis with the same frightening numbers and is currently cancer free. We hope and pray for the same result for you. You were a very successful president and we wish you and Jill the very best. Sincerely and respectfully. Liz Pemberton and Derek Windle, Elkton, Maryland Dear President Biden, Wishing you heartwarming get well wishes. You are a fighter and will not give up. Fight that cancer. You were a great president and so wish you were still our president! Take care and God bless you and your family. With best regards, Holly Hitchcock Graff, Conway, South Carolina, USMC woman veteran Prayers for your recovery Mr. President and prayers for your family. Michael Gibson, Newark I am so saddened by the news. Prayers to you and your family. I truly hope you will fight this and win. I know what it's like to lose loved ones to cancer. Please take care of yourself and enjoy your time with your family; you deserve a rest after all these years. T.L, Smyrna Dear President Biden, Wishing you a full and speedy recovery!! Sending love to you and your family!! Kay Niendorf, Howell, Michigan Dear President Biden, Jill and family, I pray that peace will be with you all. I wish you well Mr. President, I have followed your career for many decades, and I am grateful for the years of public service you gave to the citizens of Delaware, to the United States and to the continuation of Democracy. I am personally and especially, grateful for the 4 years of peace and civility we had while you were in office. May the Light and Love of God surround you and give you peace. June Pardoe, Frankford Godspeed! Go raibh maith agat as do sheirbhís. Go mbeannai Dia duit Mary O, Newark Dear President and Dr. Biden and Family, Thank you for your steadfast kindness and courage, dignity and grace. We are praying for all of you during this difficult time and are sending our get well wishes to you! You have overcome so much already, praying for strength to overcome this too. Tom and Sue Pingel, Antioch, Illinois Dear President Joe Biden, know that you are in my heart and in my prayers. Sending blessings and big his to you and Jill. Helen Mosbrooker, Oak Harbor, Washington President Biden, For my entire adult life, you have been an ethical, inspirational and wise leader who I have admired. I lived in Delaware for 68 of my 71 years and was on the UD green when you spoke to us during my freshman year at the University of Delaware. I remember thinking that this man has energy, stamina and a clear, compelling vision. May that stamina and energy carry you through this next journey. I will offer prayers from the mountains of Western North Carolina. Love to you and your family. Dr. Gail Sacconey, Townsend, Black Mountain, North Carolina Mr. President, my heart is with you and your family as you fave this horrible disease. You know how hard this fight can be, and I know you are a fighter. My husband in heaven was your biggest fan and I know you have several guardian angels watching over you. Erin Woerner, Hockessin More: Ideas mount for a Joe Biden Presidential Library in Delaware President Biden, Sending best wishes to you and to Jill for a complete recovery. You have been a fighter all of your life, and I'm sure that will continue as you face this new challenge. John O'Kneski, Wilmington Dearest President Biden & Doctor Biden ... Prayers for you & your family during this time. Thank you for your lifetime of service to our Country. May God continue to Bless you. Kathleen Powers, Newark Joe, we are thinking of you and praying for you. God is always holding you in his hands. Betsy Frey, Newark Thank you, President Biden for all you have done for our country & state. Sending you prayers of strength and healing. Ashley Coleman-Thayer, Newark I have always wondered why “bad things happen to good people, and today I pray for you and the many people that this diagnosis will affect. You are an honorable man that truly loves his family and country. This will be your continuing legacy. Respectfully, A grateful citizen Denise Bagnell, Fayetteville, Georgia Dear President Biden, Best wishes for peace and strength as you embark on your cancer journey. Please know that so many of us are pulling for you and hoping that your treatment successfully keeps your disease under control for many years to come. You deserve a long, happy retirement after all your years of service to the American people. Best wishes to you, Dr. Biden, and all your family Jennifer Caldwell, Wilmington Prayers to you President Joe Biden. To the Biden family my Prayers. Keep the faith. Cathy Doyle, Milton Ur my bday twin Joe, love you Khylie Hessey, Newark Cornell Presbyterian Hospital in New York City is your best chance to cure you. My niece had stage 4 cancer last year. The doctors cured her with a combination of chemotherapy medication that killed all of the cancer cells in her body. She returns to the hospital periodically for a CAT scan to verify zero cancer cells. I strongly suggest you contact the doctors at the hospital as soon as possible for an emergency appointment. Best wishes and good luck. John Veneziano, Toms River, New Jersey Our family sends you get well wishes and pray that you beat this. We respect you and your efforts in your long service to our government and this country. Thank you and all the best. Randy and Bernadette Connell, Newark Mr. Biden Please know you are in our prayers Thank you for all your service for us You are a great man Dennis Guilmette, Manchester, New Hampshire More: How is prostate cancer diagnosed and treated? Understanding Joe Biden's illness. I had cancer 3 years ago. I know you are fighter. You got this. Get well soon. David Jackson, Newark You are an amazing person and were a great president. I wish you a speedy recovery and may you live long and prosper. Sandy Philliips, Hockessin Dear President Biden, We hold you in our hearts during this difficult time. You have been an amazing gift to our country and to the world and we wish you the best as you and your family face this next challenge. Sending love and strength. Peggy and John McDevit, Wilmington I was very concerned when I heard the medical announcement. Many years ago, I actually attended a small speech that you made at Archmere Academy when you were 1st running for Congress. Those of us in the audience sat on the bleachers and it was way before the time when you would be followed by Secret Service agents. I wish you the very, very best. I am a retired high school teacher. Nancy Hanley, Wilmington Thank you, Mr. President, for your lifelong service, and best wishes for a speedy recovery. Jane Lee, Wilmington President Biden. Please know that you and your family are in my thoughts. As a cancer survivor, I know how difficult this time can be. Thank you for all the years of service you have given to this country to ensure our democracy is safe. You are a true patriot and hero in my eyes. Elaine Jones, Eau Claire, Wisconsin Dear President Biden, Sending you heartfelt wishes and strength during this challenging time. Your resilience has inspired countless individuals, and I am confident that you will face this obstacle with the same courage and determination. May you have a smooth and swift recovery. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Warm regards, Tong Li, Newark More: Joe Biden, his cancer diagnosis and a legacy of grief Life's challenges are just that. You are blessed with those that support and love you. Hopefully medical treatments can decrease any bone pain. Our faith is always in Gods infinite love and mercy. He will hold you and hide you under the shelter of his wings, and have you soar like an eagle. Maria Perez Monzon, Wilmington Get well President Biden. As a fellow Blue Hen, remember we are the Fighting Blue Hens! Now go win this battle! Wishing you well and praying God grants you strength, and full recovery. Lee Ballantini, Riverside, Missouri Dear Mr. President, My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time. I know you are a fighter and will give it your all! Well wishes for your treatment and recovery! Lisa Umbel, Middletown Dear President Biden, When we met a few years ago in Greenville, you told me you could tell I was Irish by my eyes! Well, the luck of the Irish will be with you on your journey! Jack & I know what you are going through. Jack was treated for prostate cancer as well. We will be praying for both of you. Mary Louise & Jack Farley Mary Louise & Jack Farley, Middletown To the Honorable Joseph Biden, Know that you are being thought of every day with kind thoughts, gratitude, love, and prayer as you go through this next stage of your journey. We desperately miss you. Nancy Burke, Byfield, Massachusetts Joe, your strong faith will help you through this tough time. Enjoy family and friends when time permits. Know that many people are sending prayers and good mojo! All the best, Jennifer Pyle, Newark Keep fighting, Joe. We are praying for you and your family. Thank you for your life of service to Delaware and our country. Brendan Minihan, Newark Delawareans are tough and fighters. You have a nation cheering you on! We in Delaware know the beach cures all! Sit on the beach and let the Sun, sand, and water start to heal you. Your strong faith will serve you well. Catherine Vento, Townsend Wishing you a full recovery! Thank you for your service to our country! Praying for you and your family. Your dedication to our country is greatly appreciated! Take care and may God bless you and your family. Teresa Disharoon, Delmar Dear Mr. Biden, our heart-felt wishes go out to you and your family. Thank you for all the years you have served your country. With the greatest respect, the O'Dell Family of Newark, DE Roger & Janice O'Dell, Newark Dear Biden Family, with gratitude and love I wish you strength and hope at this time. Katherine Sheedy, Newark It was sad news to hear about your health. We pray God and wish that you get well soon. You have served the nation for so many years and especially Delaware. We are proud of you. Ravindrakumar Trivedi, Bear Dear President Biden, we have this one thing in common. I was diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer in 2018... (message continues with personal story and encouragement) Jack Lefkowitz, Wilmington It will be a hard road ahead. I wish you and Mrs. Biden healing love. You will be in my thoughts. Remember we all hold you both deep within our hearts. Lydia Roll, Carrollton, Georgia Dear Joe, my thoughts and prayers are with you and Jill. Stay Strong! Marie Allen, Wilmington Our thoughts and prayers to President Joe Biden, who has been a viable part of the Black community for a long time. He was the lifeguard at the Prices Run pool, spoke at many of our college graduations; served as our County Councilman, U.S. Senator, Vice President and President of the U.S, providing unprecedented funding to EJ communities everywhere. Thank you for your leadership and kindness over the years. Penny Dryden, Wilmington Best wishes to you during your cancer treatments. And thank you, thank you, thank you for your lifetime of service. We didn't deserve you. Kathy Brown, Saint Louis, Missouri Thank you for everything you have done for this country. I so wish you still were our president. You were a true leader who cares about what is best for this country! I wish you all the best! Angelo Pingitore, Smyrna Mr. President, Thank you for your service to America and to Delaware. You have been a leader who is ethical, caring, informed, educated, dedicated and passionate in his efforts to make the world a better place. I pray that God gives you strength, comfort, and consolation as you move forward with your battle against this health crisis. Marion Weston, Newark Dear Joe. I was so sad to hear this news. You are a wonderful man and a great President. I send my thoughts and prayers to your family and hope for a successful recovery. Jackie Jones, Orlando, Florida Mr. President, I have been raised in Delaware all my life. Your name is synonymous with Delaware. God Bless! We will be praying for you and your family with your upcoming battle! You are not alone! Karen Gilbert, Newark Sending well wishes for recovery and health from North Star development. Thank you for all you have done for us. You continue to lead with refreshing compassion and dignity. Hoping for the best for you and your family. Lee O', Newark Dear Mr. Biden, I was so sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I am keeping you, your family and caregivers in my daily prayers just as I would for a family member or friend. I am very sure that your wife and family will be there to comfort and support you during this difficult time. Sincerely, Cynthia Hall, New Castle Sending prayers for you Joe and for the entire Biden family as you battle this horrible disease. You were a wonderful President and I thank you for 50 years of public service to make our country better! Kathy Ara, Lewes Thank you isn't enough for all you have done throughout your lifetime. Please know you are loved by many and we are all wishing you the best! Ann Greene, Newark Dear President Biden, I will say a mishabaruch (prayer for healing) for you at Shabbat services. With gratitude and affection. Judith Finkel, Houston, Texas My heartfelt wishes to you and your family for strength and healing during this difficult time. You have given so much to us Delawareans in your lifetime and we will be eternally grateful to you. Stephanie Barry, Wilmington Mr. President and friend, our prayers are with you as you stand up to this challenge. May God's courage surround you. Peace and grace, Kristina and Glenn Taylor, Frankford Joe Biden's family tree: An introduction to Delaware's most famous family Dear President Biden, I am sending you my very best get well very soon wishes. You are and continue to be a beaming light of inspiration and encouragement. Thank you always, for your kindness and humanity. Marion Moon, Philadelphia Hello President Biden, so sorry about your diagnoses, my dad passed from prostate cancer it is the worst. May I suggest talking with your doctor about take Turkey Tail mushroom supplements? Paul Stamets's mother had stage 4 cancer, and she was put on Turkey Tail capsules, and within 2 years, she was cancer free, and she was 84 years old. Here is a link to his Ted Talk video. Mushrooms are amazing! I will keep you in my prayers. Katherine Potter, Buckeye, Arizona Thinking of you and praying for you and your family. Sara and Austin Henry, Mitchellville, Maryland You once asked me to run for office when I, and the community organizations I'd gathered, made a ruckus about conditions at the Women's Prison in NCC. Our interactions with you let me know that our county, state, and nation were ALL in good hands with you at their helm. You got this, we've got this with you. Now, you're in good hands... HIS. Be well and take care Alice N.T. Reid, Claymont President Biden: Please know that you, Jill and your family are in our thoughts and prayers as you battle this health challenge. We know that you will give it your all in addressing this concern. I fondly recall my interactions with you as our Senator and how you assisted my former employer, the New Castle County Police, secure grant funding. God grant you strength as you face this health challenge. God bless! John Lodge - LT., New Castle County Police, Ret., Lewes Biden defined: The key issues and events that made Delaware's favorite son I met you a number of years ago, and when I call you Senator you said I'm just "Joe". Well Joe, you've always been a fighter and you can win this fight! The best to you, Dr Jill and your family. Dean Smith, Dagsboro Mr. President, just wanna thank you for saving democracy. I know you probably didn't really wanna be president but you did what you had to do for the country. Good luck with your fight. Enjoy the next few years you deserve it. Mark Carney, Worton, Maryland Sir Joseph Biden, I am so sorry to hear of your bout with cancer. It is a horrible disease and I just hope that you get your rest and I am praying for you and Jill from a fellow democrat in Rhode Island. Alden Taylor, Wakefield, Rhode Island Dearest President Biden, we love you. We love your spirit, your humanity, your earthiness, your strength. God bless you and your family. Peace, Rhona and Rick Perkins, Rennie Bergman, Newark I am sorry to hear about your health issue. I think you were a GREAT President. I thank you whole heartedly. Denise New, Albuquerque, New Mexico Hey President Biden, I know how much you love golf, so I'm hoping you can get back to it soon. In the meantime, I'll be here to chat, listen, or just keep you company if you need it. Feel better soon! Billy Allen, Wilmington More: What's named for Joe Biden is out of this world, from a dwarf planet to ice cream to opera Dear Joe, you are in our thoughts and prayers, wishing you all the best. Thank God you have a strong family that loves you and will be there for you. Be strong John & Deb Donnigan, Claymont Dear Joe and Jill, regretting that this communication has to deal with such a severe health issue. With the support of family and friends and faith in God, you will find the path that brings you to peace. God bless you and your family. Linda & Bruce Poole, Landenberg, Pennsylvania Dear Joe, our thoughts and prayers are with you and we'll be lighting lots of candles at St. Joe's for you. We hope your treatment goes well and you'll be riding your bike and eating ice cream in Rehoboth very soon. We also hope that you can feel lots of love and gratitude coming your way. Thank you for all you've done for us and know that we will always be "Ridin' with Biden." Sending our very best wishes to you and your family. Andrea and Tony Rogers, Greenville As a fellow Delawareian I want to thank you for your service to our state and country. Your kindness and dedication to the people of the world will live on. God Bless you and your family! Timothy Lynch, Marydel Wishing you well with your treatments. My PSA rose quickly and over last 2 1/2 years but BWH (Dr. Kibel) and Dana Faber (Dr. Berchuck) teamed up to seemingly eliminate my aggressive prostate cancer. To date it has not metastasized to bone. My situation was a little complicated but included hormone treatments. Oncologist Dr. Berchuck can be found at Emory Hospital in Atlanta. God Bless Bill Jackson, Natick, Massachusetts This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Residents offer support for President Biden after cancer diagnosis
Washington Post
26-05-2025
- Health
- Washington Post
I'm an oncologist. Speculating about Biden's cancer is dangerous.
Ravi Parikh is a genitourinary medical oncologist at Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University. In the days since former president Joe Biden's cancer diagnosis, amid the typical outpouring of support for a public figure diagnosed with cancer, two leading conspiracy theories have emerged. The first is that Biden's team willfully ignored prostate cancer screening. Pundits — some of them doctors — have speculated about the president's screening history, suggesting that regular PSA testing (a blood test that screens for prostate-specific antigen) might have caught the cancer earlier. Major news outlets have subtly propagated this narrative as well, running flashy headlines questioning how Biden's doctors could have missed his condition. And, more egregiously, many across the political spectrum have insinuated that the president delayed his own diagnosis as part of a broader cover-up of his health issues. The second conspiracy theory involves attempts to tie Biden's diagnosis to his poor performance in the June 2024 presidential debate. Some have implied that his cancer explains his perceived cognitive decline, changes in energy levels or recent lack of public appearances. As an oncologist who predominantly treats Stage 4 prostate cancer, I find these narratives dangerous. They risk further stigmatizing the many patients I care for who are surviving and thriving with Stage 4 cancer. For starters, it is not helpful to speculate how long the president's cancer had been growing or whether earlier PSA testing would have prevented it. Why? Because it doesn't change his current prognosis or how we treat it now. The cancer was reportedly discovered after a routine physical exam revealed a prostate nodule, followed by imaging that showed spread to his bones. If the first time Biden heard about his cancer was at diagnosis, then our role as physicians is to focus on treatment, not hindsight. It is possible earlier PSA screening might have caught it sooner. But national guidelines recommended against PSA screening for anyone over age 70, much less an 82-year-old man, due to elevated risk of false positives or invasive biopsies that can outweigh the benefits of earlier detection. It's also possible Biden's cancer progressed between tests. So though the health of the president is certainly of public concern, there's no reason to make any patient — or his supporters — feel guilty about an unpredictable cancer. Moreover, it is very unlikely that the president's cancer contributed to any cognitive or functional impairment. Prostate cancer almost never spreads to the brain, and Biden's office reported that the president was asymptomatic except for mild urinary issues. Throughout my career, I've treated hundreds of men with Stage 4 prostate cancer. It is incurable but treatable. When a patient first comes to see me, I focus on four steps. First, we address symptoms such as bone pain from metastases, urinary issues, weight loss — often in coordination with radiation oncology, palliative medicine and nutrition specialists. Second, and most importantly, we discuss goals: How aggressive should we be? What are the patient's priorities? What trade-offs between quality of life and cancer control are acceptable? Treatment for Stage 4 prostate cancer is so effective nowadays that we have the luxury of offering a range of options that consider a patient's preferences. Next, I describe the treatment options. The backbone of treatment is androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), which reduces testosterone, the fuel for prostate cancer growth. We often add pills such as androgen receptor signaling inhibitors that further inhibit testosterone signaling. Depending on disease burden, we may also consider radiation or chemotherapy; genetic testing can help us identify targeted therapy options. If one treatment fails, we have several other standard options before considering experimental therapies or hospice. Finally, we talk survivorship — living well with cancer. This includes managing side effects such as hot flashes, monitoring for recurrence and addressing broader health needs. Patients with prostate cancer often live long enough that other conditions, such as heart disease or diabetes, may pose greater risks than the cancer itself, so we screen for those, too. And ADT can reduce bone density, so we screen for that as well as encourage weight-bearing exercise. And yes, we discuss cognition. ADT — not prostate cancer — can impact cognitive function. If someone has signs of cognitive issues, we weigh this when recommending treatment. But unless a patient has severe dementia, it rarely changes the treatment plan. The chatter around Biden about preventability, debility and prognosis does a disservice to patients living with metastatic prostate cancer. These narratives perpetuate the harmful myth that Stage 4 prostate cancer means imminent death or total debilitation — and they can lead to social isolation, workplace bias and psychological distress. In reality, prostate cancer is a serious but manageable illness. If one treatment fails, we have several other standard options before considering experimental therapies or hospice. Of all Stage 4 cancers, prostate cancer most closely resembles a chronic disease like diabetes or high blood pressure. Biden already is, and will continue to be, a 'metastatic survivor' — someone managing cancer as a chronic condition. Though statistics suggest that most men with Stage 4 prostate cancer won't survive five years, these numbers come from an older era of less effective treatment — and an inequitable system of care where many patients didn't receive access to guideline-based treatment. I feel empathy for the president and his family. The day a patient gets diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer is one of the worst days in his life. Patients often carry the emotional weight of guilt, fear and uncertainty — compounded in Biden's case by already intense public scrutiny, a 'tell-all' book release and political implications. After the president's diagnosis, I asked several of my patients what they thought. They're undergoing the same treatments he will. Their responses weren't pity or anger: They were of encouragement. With permission, here's what they said: 'I've been living with this for seven years. My PSA is undetectable, and I still play golf once a week.' 'The hot flashes aren't fun, but they're worth it to watch my grandkids grow up.' 'I thought it was a death sentence. But I'm still here five years later. He'll be fine.' For these patients, and most others, Stage 4 prostate cancer wasn't an immediate death sentence and has not caused physical or mental disability. The question they are asking isn't 'What if?' — it's 'What's next?' I hope Joe Biden, and the rest of the country, can ask the same.
The National
19-05-2025
- Health
- The National
Biden team accused of covering up cancer and other health concerns
Former president Joe Biden and his staff have been accused of concealing his cancer diagnosis and other health problems while he was in office. Mr Biden at the weekend announced his diagnosis of an aggressive form of prostate cancer, which has metastasised to the bone. His diagnosis was characterised by a Gleason score of 9, with the score measuring on a scale of 1 to 10 how the cancerous cells look compared to normal cells. 'Cancer touches us all. Like so many of you, Jill and I have learned that we are strongest in the broken places. Thank you for lifting us up with love and support,' Mr Biden, 82, said in a post on X. Amid an outpouring of support from friend and foe – including Mr Biden's successor President Donald Trump – some have accused him and his team of a cover-up. 'What I want to know is how did Dr Jill Biden miss stage five metastatic cancer, or is this yet another cover-up?' Donald Trump Jr said in a post on X. The former first lady holds a doctorate in education. The Wall Street Journal's editorial board accused Democrats of covering up Mr Biden's infirmity and denying the American people a better presidential candidate. Mr Biden stepped back from the presidential race in July, instead backing his vice president, Kamala Harris. 'He did not develop it in the last, 100, 200 days. He had it while he was President. He probably had it at the start of his presidency, in 2021,' oncologist Zeke Emanuel, who served as an adviser on Covid-19 to the Biden administration, told MSNBC. 'I don't think there's any disagreement about that.' Men are typically screened for prostate cancer annually starting at about the age of 55, with a test measuring the blood for a prostate-specific antigen. From then, they are usually screened every two to three years. Most men will get prostate cancer if they live long enough, according to the Mayo Clinic. Some prostate cancers are more aggressive while others can be slow growing. Every sitting president is required to have an annual physical and the results are released to the public. Mr Biden's medical team did not previously indicate that he had prostate cancer. Even before the cancer announcement, Mr Biden was believed to be showing symptoms of dementia, or at least suffering the effects of advanced age. During the first presidential debate against Mr Trump, Mr Biden appeared frail and lost his train of thought. At other events, he confused the leaders of countries, calling Egyptian leader Abdel Fattah El Sisi the president of Mexico. While Mr Biden was under investigation over claims he retained sensitive government documents after his time as vice president under Barack Obama, the special counsel in the case concluded that charges were not needed due to both a lack of evidence and the former president's 'significantly limited' memory. 'Mr Biden would likely present himself to a jury, as he did during our interview of him, as a sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory,' the report said. The former president also often stumbled or fell, slipping down the stairs of Air Force One in 2021 and collapsing after handing out diplomas at an Air Force graduation two years later. In the coming book Original Sin: President Biden's Decline, Its Cover-Up and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again, journalists Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson recount how Mr Biden failed to recognise actor George Clooney at a campaign event in June last year. Weeks later, Clooney called on Mr Biden to step down from the presidential race. 'It wasn't a straight line of decline; he had good days and bad. But until the last day of his presidency, Biden and those in his innermost circle refused to admit the reality that his energy, cognitive skills and communication capacity had faltered significantly. Even worse, through various means, they tried to hide it,' the authors write.
Daily Mail
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Trump calls for investigation into Harris over celebrity endorsements
Donald Trump kicked off Monday morning by turning his attacks towards former 2024 rival Kamala Harris just hours after Joe Biden's devastating cancer diagnosis was made public. The president is demanding a 'major investigation' into Harris after she dolled out massive amounts of campaign cash for major celebrity appearances from the likes of single-name icons Beyonce and Oprah. Trump claims that Harris' lofty spending for performances at her events equates to using donations to pay for endorsements, which is illegal. Still, the slew of celebrity appearances and mini concerts, including from Bruce Springsteen and Bono, did not help Harris get any closer to getting promoted to the Oval Office. The post on Monday came after just hours former President Biden's office announced that he was diagnosed with an 'aggressive form' of prostate cancer. Trump posted on Sunday to his Truth Social well wishes for Biden's recovery. 'Melania and I are saddened to hear about Joe Biden's recent medical diagnosis,' the president wrote. 'We extend our warmest and best wishes to Jill and the family, and we wish Joe a fast and successful recovery.' But the next morning Trump was back to his usual social media antics and turned his attacks to Biden's former No. 2. 'How much did Kamala Harris pay Bruce Springsteen for his poor performance during her campaign for president?' he questioned in his Truth Social post. 'Why did he accept that money if he is such a fan of hers? Isn't that a major and illegal campaign contribution?' 'What about Beyonce?' the president continued. 'And how much went to Oprah, and Bono??' He insisted: 'I am going to call for a major investigation into this matter. Candidates aren't allowed to pay for endorsements, which is what Kamala did, under the guise of paying for entertainment.' Trump often had celebrities who supported him appear or perform at his campaign rallies. This included Kid Rock, Jason Aldean, Billy Ray Cyrus and God Bless the USA singer Lee Greenwood. He even had the Village People perform their hit song Y.M.C.A. at his inaugural rally. His post, however, suggests that Trump did not pay for these performances – at least not from his campaign funds. Trump said on Truth Social that Harris was desperate to get these 'expensive' and 'unpatriotic' performers to come to her events to 'artificially build up her sparse crowds.' 'This was just a corrupt and unlawful way to capitalize on a broken system,' Trump concluded.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
CNN host describes timing of Biden's cancer announcement as ‘extraordinary'
CNN host and media pundit Brian Stelter has questioned the timing of former President Joe Biden's announcement on Sunday that he has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer, calling it 'extraordinary' as the news coincides with a series of negative stories about the Democrat's final years in the White House. Biden, 82, received the diagnosis on Friday, according to a spokesperson, after doctors discovered a 'small nodule' on his prostate that required additional evaluation and subsequently determined that the cancer is 'high grade' and has spread to the bone. His representative said the former president and his family are currently 'reviewing treatment options' with physicians. 'The timing is just extraordinary,' Stelter told his network colleague Jessica Dean in response to the development. 'Biden learned of the diagnosis Friday. Well, what was the biggest Biden story on Friday? It was the release of those excruciating audio excerpts from his conversations with Robert Hur back in 2023.' 'You have that [audio release] as one element of the timing here,' Stelter continued. 'And then you have this book coming out… one of the biggest political books in several years.' He was referring to the leaking of audio on Friday from Biden's 2023 interview with Justice Department special counsel Robert Hur about allegations that he improperly stored classified documents at his Delaware home, which revealed the president struggling to remember key dates and details, having to be prompted by his lawyers and speaking in a hoarse, whispering voice. The release of Hur's report on the interview in February 2024, in which he described Biden as a 'sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory,' caused uproar among liberals at the time, who saw it as a calculated attack on the president and an attempt to encourage the perception that he was in a state of cognitive decline in order to boost Donald Trump's rival presidential campaign. The book in question is the forthcoming Original Sin by Dean's fellow network anchor, Jake Tapper, and Axios reporter Alex Thompson. It aims to illuminate the conversations behind the scenes that led to the president's historic decision last July to drop out of the 2024 race. This decision paved the way for his Vice President Kamala Harris to run in his stead and, ultimately, lose to Trump in November. Prior to the book's publication, Biden appeared to be attempting to reassert control over the narrative surrounding his legacy. He gave a major interview to the BBC earlier this month and appeared on ABC's The View alongside his wife, former first lady Dr. Jill Biden, much to the annoyance of Democratic strategists keen to move on from their party's humbling election loss. Stelter was not the only pundit to note the timing of the announcement: MAGA activist Laura Loomer wrote on X that she believed it was a 'PR strategy' to shield Biden from criticism arising from Tapper and Thompson's book. Others have reacted more sympathetically to the news, however. President Trump said he was 'saddened' and that he and his wife Melania Trump 'extend our warmest and best wishes to Jill and the family, and we wish Joe a fast and successful recovery.' Former president Barack Obama, whom Biden served as vice president for two terms between 2009 and 2017, paid tribute to his friend's own track record of supporting cancer research since his son Beau Biden died in 2015, while Harris praised him as a 'fighter.'
