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Donald Tump and Joe Biden at the former's inauguration in January (Image: Getty)
Donald Trump has offered an unexpectedly warm message of support to Joe Biden after the former president was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer. In a brief statement posted on Truth Social, Mr Trump said: “Melania and I are saddened to hear about Joe Biden’s recent medical diagnosis. We extend our warmest and best wishes to Jill and the family, and we wish Joe a fast and successful recovery.”
The tone marked a sharp departure from Mr Trump’s usual rhetoric towards his longtime political rival, whom he has frequently derided as “Sleepy Joe.” Mr Biden, 82, was diagnosed on Friday after reporting urinary symptoms. Doctors discovered a nodule on his prostate and later confirmed that the cancer had already spread to the bone. A statement from his office said: “This represents a more aggressive form of the disease. But the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive, which allows for effective management. The President and his family are reviewing treatment options with his physicians.”
The Trump and Bidens in January (Image: Getty)
Mr Biden’s Gleason score was nine – among the highest possible – indicating a fast-growing and potentially dangerous form of the disease.
When prostate cancer spreads beyond the prostate, it often targets the bones. At this stage, known as metastatic cancer, it becomes significantly harder to treat.
Dr Matthew Smith, of the Massachusetts General Brigham Cancer Center, said: “It’s very treatable, but not curable. Most men in this situation would be treated with drugs and would not be advised to have either surgery or radiation therapy.”
Despite the grim diagnosis, advances in treatment mean patients with similar conditions can often live for several more years. Dr Smith said most men could expect a survival time of four to five years.
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Support came in from across the political spectrum, including from Vice President Kamala Harris, who replaced Mr Biden as the Democratic nominee following his withdrawal from the 2024 race.
She said: “Joe is a fighter — and I know he will face this challenge with the same strength, resilience, and optimism that have always defined his life and leadership.”
Former President Barack Obama said: “Nobody has done more to find breakthrough treatments for cancer in all its forms than Joe, and I am certain he will fight this challenge with his trademark resolve and grace.”
Mr Biden made cancer research a key priority of his administration with the relaunch of his “Cancer Moonshot” initiative in 2022. The effort aimed to halve the cancer death rate over 25 years and built on work he began as vice president after the death of his son Beau from brain cancer in 2015.
Former US President Barack Obama also paid tribute to Joe Biden (Image: Getty)
He said at the time: “This could be an American moment to prove to ourselves and, quite frankly, the world that we can do really big things.”
Mr Biden’s health was a major concern throughout his time in office. He dropped out of the 2024 presidential race after a poor debate performance, and Ms Harris ultimately lost to Mr Trump in the general election, allowing the Republican to return to the White House.
More recently, Mr Biden has pushed back against suggestions that his health deteriorated significantly during his final year in office. In the forthcoming book Original Sin by Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson, it is claimed aides shielded the public from the extent of his decline — something Mr Biden has strongly denied.
Mr Biden also underwent treatment for other health concerns during his presidency. In 2023, he had a basal cell carcinoma removed from his chest. In 2021, he had a polyp removed from his colon, which was benign but considered pre-cancerous.
English (US) · 