Former United States president Joe Biden has said he is “feeling good” and remains optimistic about his health, days after his office confirmed he had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer.
The 82-year-old veteran Democrat made his first public remarks since the diagnosis while speaking to 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, striking 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 that indicates the most severe form of the disease. Initial reports also stated that the cancer had metastasised to his bones, raising widespread concern about his condition.
However, Biden sought to reassure the public, saying the cancer had not spread to any organs and his bones remained strong.
“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 finalised a treatment plan and remained hopeful about his chances of recovery. “The expectation is, we’re going to be able to beat this,” he said.
End of political road
The announcement of Biden’s diagnosis came just days after a turbulent political period in which the former president ended his re-election bid following a widely criticised debate performance against Republican frontrunner Donald Trump.
Biden’s advanced age and health had become central issues in the 2024 election campaign. His withdrawal sparked a political firestorm within the Democratic Party, with growing scrutiny over how much of his cognitive and physical condition had been kept 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 mix of defiance and sarcasm.
“I’m mentally incompetent and I can’t walk,” he joked, 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.
Personal loss remembered
In a more emotional 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, died 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 used the opportunity to renew his calls for better treatment of 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.
