On Monday, former President Donald Trump made controversial remarks regarding President Joe Biden's recent announcement of his prostate cancer diagnosis. This shift in tone came swiftly after an initial period of grace from Trump, who seemed to imply that Biden's disclosure was part of a broader trend of the Biden White House obscuring the former president's health issues. During a press event at the White House, Trump suggested that the public should have been informed about Biden's health condition much earlier.
Trump expressed surprise over the timing of Biden's announcement, stating, "I'm surprised that the public wasn't notified a long time ago because to get to Stage 9, that's a long time." It is important to note that Trump incorrectly conflated the Gleason score—a metric that measures the aggressiveness of prostate cancer—with the stages of cancer. Biden's Gleason score is 9, indicating an aggressive form of cancer, while he is actually diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer, the most severe stage. To clarify, there is no Stage 9 cancer.
Trump also commented on the subject of prostate cancer screening, asserting that it is a standard component of regular physical examinations. However, the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force does not recommend routine prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening for men over 70 due to the potential risks outweighing the benefits. For men aged 55 to 69, the task force advises discussions with healthcare providers regarding the necessity of PSA screening.
"If you take a look, it's the same doctor that said that Joe was cognitively fine," Trump claimed, implying that Biden's cognitive abilities should be called into question. He insinuated that officials within the Biden administration may have been relying on an autopen to sign documents, a theory that has gained traction within certain far-right circles. The Biden administration has not publicly addressed Trump's claims.
It is essential to understand that there is no legal obligation for presidents to disclose their medical records. Historically, many presidents have kept their health issues private. The responsibility for disclosing such information falls to the White House. Trump, who has also been criticized for his own lack of transparency regarding health information, highlighted that he had undergone prostate cancer screening during a recent physical examination. He contrasted this with Biden, indicating that the latter had not taken a cognitive test.
Biden's last physical examination took place in February 2024, where the White House emphasized that a team of 20 doctors participated in the assessment. Notably, a cognitive exam was not included, as his press secretary stated it was unnecessary given Biden's daily responsibilities. Concerns regarding Biden's age and cognitive abilities have been mentioned in various reports, including a special counsel assessment that depicted him as a well-meaning, elderly individual with memory issues.
During a presidential debate in June, Biden’s performance raised eyebrows when he appeared to freeze, prompting his physician to release additional information about his consultations with a neurologist. This incident led to increased pressure on Biden from Democratic leaders to consider withdrawing from the race. Following Vice President Kamala Harris's defeat to Trump, there was considerable criticism directed at Biden for his insistence on running for a second term.
Trump concluded his remarks by stating that the lack of transparency regarding Biden's health could pose risks to national security, specifically referencing the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. He often attributes this war to Biden's leadership, despite the fact that it was initiated by Russia. "I feel very badly about it, and I think people should try and find out what happened," Trump stated, suggesting that there are undisclosed facts regarding Biden's health and decision-making capabilities.
