Donald Trump has wished former President Joe Biden a successful recovery after he announced he had an advanced form of cancer, sparking conspiracy theories.
Biden’s office said he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer, which had metastasized to the bone, after experiencing urinary symptoms.
After the announcement on Sunday, conspiracy theories—including from Trump’s son Donald Trump Jr.—began to circulate online.
Highlights
- Joe Biden announced an advanced prostate cancer diagnosis that had metastasized to his bones, sparking widespread conspiracy theories online.
- Republicans allege Biden’s cancer diagnosis was hidden during his re-election bid, accusing the White House of a long-term cover-up.
- Biden’s 2022 comment on having cancer resurfaced, fueling claims that he was aware of his illness well before the official announcement.
- Despite conspiracy theories, world leaders, including Donald Trump, sent well-wishes.
Republicans are alleging that the White House knew Joe Biden had cancer when he ran for re-election
Image credits: Mandel Ngan - Pool/Getty Images
A video in which Biden said he had cancer in 2022 has now resurfaced and gone viral.
“You had to put on your windshield wipers to get literally the oil slick off the window,” Biden said during a press conference in July 2022.
“That’s why I and so damn many other people I grew up with have cancer. And why, for the longest time, Delaware had the highest cancer rate in the nation.”
At the time, White House officials said he had confused past and present tense, and was referring to a previous diagnosis of skin cancer, not announcing a new diagnosis.
But Republicans are now claiming the video was, in fact, not a gaffe but a cover-up, and that Biden knew he had cancer when he tried to run for re-election.
Many have also claimed that with the excellent medical care in place at the White House, the cancer would have been caught before it metastasized.
Donald Trump Jr. posted on X: “What I want to know is how did Dr. Jill Biden miss stage five metastatic cancer or is this yet another coverup???”
Biden has been diagnosed with stage four cancer, not stage five as claimed in Trump Jr.’s post.
Announcing his diagnosis, Biden’s office said: “Last week, President Joe Biden was seen for a new finding of a prostate nodule after experiencing increasing urinary symptoms.
“On Friday, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, characterized by a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5) with metastasis to the bone.
“While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive which allows for effective management.”
Among Republicans to allege a cover-up was far-right activist Laura Loomer, who claimed Biden “likely had cancer his entire presidency.”
“Joe Biden has had cancer for a while,” Loomer posted on X.
Trump was among world leaders to send well-wishes as conspiracy theories ramped up online
“He has had it for most of his presidency, and the White House physicians have long been suspected of fabricating his medical records.
“As I reported last year, White House physicians had many late night visits with Biden that went past midnight. Check the logs, you’ll see for yourself.
“Here’s video from 7/20/2022 of Biden admitting he has cancer. He became terminal last July, which is when Kamala Harris took over.
“Those doctors need to lose their medical licenses.”
Prostate cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in American men, behind only lung cancer, according to the American Cancer Society.
Other than skin cancer, it is also the most common cancer among men in the U.S., and it is most likely to develop in those over the age of 65.
Image credits: The White House
While conspiracy theories continue to circulate on Biden’s diagnosis, world leaders, including Trump, have sent well-wishes.
“Melania and I are saddened to hear about Joe Biden’s recent medical diagnosis,” the U.S. president said on Truth Social.
“We extend our warmest and best wishes to Jill and the family, and we wish Joe a fast and successful recovery.”
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “I am very sorry to hear President Biden has prostate cancer. All the very best to Joe, his wife Jill and their family, and wishing the president swift and successful treatment.”
Kamala Harris and Barack Obama were among Democrats praying for a full recovery.
Media personality Piers Morgan also urged people to show some respect when discussing Biden’s diagnosis.
“I’m going to block anyone I see - and there’s already a lot of this vile crap flying around - mocking, celebrating, or playing partisan politics with Joe Biden’s health news,” he posted on X.
“The man has served his country for 50yrs and is fighting for his life. Show some bloody respect.”
Concerns regarding Biden’s health became most prominent after a debate with Trump in 2024
Biden’s diagnosis comes as the book ‘Original Sin: President Biden’s Decline, Its Cover-up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again’ by Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson is set to be released on Tuesday, May 20.
The book claims that during the 2024 presidential election and Biden’s term, the Democratic Party covered up health issues.
It explores his alleged cognitive decline and claims that at one point, staff considered having Biden use a wheelchair.
Audio obtained by Axios was also released just days ago, revealing Biden had difficulty answering questions during a 2023 interview with special counsel Robert Hur.
The interview was in connection with Biden’s possession of classified documents.
Image credits: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
Throughout, he spoke in a whispering voice and had to be prompted by his lawyers to answer some questions.
Concerns regarding Biden’s health became most prominent during his debate with Trump on CNN in July 2024.
During the 90-minute debate, Biden struggled to explain key Democratic policies and had difficulty articulating his thoughts.
There was widespread concern regarding his fitness for a second term as president, which led to him dropping out of the race and endorsing then-Vice President Kamala Harris.
Many commentators believe that Biden’s poor performance in the debate helped pave the way for Trump’s return to the White House.
Image credits: CBS