The former president confirmed news of his diagnosis
Former US President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with a form of prostate cancer.
On Sunday (May 18), the office of the 82-year-old and former president released a statement, confirming Biden has been diagnosed with prostate cancer with a Gleason score of nine (Grade Group 5), which has spread to the bones.
Well-wishes have since been flooding in for Biden from most, including from President Donald Trump.
But his son, Donald Trump Jr, instead took to social media to suggest the news was a ‘cover up’.
The 47-year-old trustee and executive vice president of the Trump Organization also agreed with a comment ‘without question’ that claimed Biden was ‘running the country as a vegetable under the rug’.
What did Donald Trump Jr say about Joe Biden’s cancer?
Donald Trump Jr took to Twitter to comment on Biden’s cancer diagnosis (GRANT BALDWIN/AFP via Getty Images)
Taking to X, formerly Twitter, Trump Jr shared a screenshot of a tweet from Dr Steven Quay, who, in part, claimed it is ‘highly likely [Biden] was carrying a diagnosis of prostate cancer’ while in the White House and that the ‘American people were uninformed.’
Responding to this, Trump Jr wrote: “What I want to know is how did Dr. Jill Biden miss stage five metastatic cancer or is this yet another coverup???”
Firstly, Jill holds a doctorate in education, not medicine. But moreover – ‘stage five’ cancer doesn’t even exist.
What I want to know is how did Dr. Jill Biden miss stage five metastatic cancer or is this yet another coverup???
Is stage five cancer real?
Prostate cancer affects the male reproductive system (Getty Images)
No, stage five cancer – as Trump Jr called it – does not exist.
There are four stages when it comes to diagnosing certain cancers, as per Cancer Research UK.
Stage 1 usually means that a cancer is small and contained within the organ it started in.
Stage 2 usually means that the tumour is larger than in stage 1 but the cancer hasn’t started to spread into the surrounding tissues. Sometimes it can mean that cancer cells have spread into lymph nodes close to the tumour, depending on the certain type of cancer.
Stage 3 usually means the cancer is larger. It may have started to spread into surrounding tissues and there are cancer cells in the lymph nodes nearby.
Stage 4 means the cancer has spread from where it started to another body organ. This is also called secondary or metastatic cancer.
What is the Gleason Score?
Biden has been diagnosed with Grade Group 5 cancer (Mandel Ngan – Pool/Getty Images)
The Gleason Score – also known as the Grade Group – is the most common system doctors use to grade prostate cancer.
The grade of a cancer tells you how much the cancer cells look like normal cells, as Cancer Research UK explains.
This gives your doctor an idea of how the cancer might behave and what treatment you need.
A Gleason score 6 is ‘Grade Group 1’ – where the cells look similar to normal prostate cells and the cancer is likely to grow very slowly, if at all.
The highest of the Gleason scale is a score of nine or ten. Known as ‘Grade Group 5,’ this is when the cells look very abnormal and the cancer is likely to grow quickly.
Grade Group 2 Most cells still look similar to normal prostate cells. The cancer is likely to grow slowly
In between, you have Gleason score 7 – or Grade Group 3 T- where the cells look less like normal prostate cells and the cancer is growing at a ‘moderate’ rate.
Then there’s Gleason score 8 – Grade Group 4. This is where some cells look abnormal, while the disease could be growing quickly or at a moderate rate.
So, Biden has Grade Group 5 cancer – not ‘stage 5’.Featured Image Credit: Brandon Bell/Ryan Emberley/amfAR/Getty Images for amfAR/Getty Images
Topics: Joe Biden, Cancer, Social Media, US News
Published 11:28 19 May 2025 GMT+1
Donald Trump Jr. slammed for ‘vile’ statement following Joe Biden’s ‘aggressive’ cancer diagnosis
The POTUS’ eldest son posted a less-than-sympathetic response to Joe Biden’s cancer diagnosis
Donald Trump Jr. has been slammed for making a ‘vile’ statement following Joe Biden’s prostate cancer diagnosis.
The president’s eldest son, nicknamed Don Jr, has landed himself in hot water after appearing to make an insensitive statement following the news about Biden‘s poor health.
On Sunday (May 18), the office of the 82-year-old and former president released a statement, confirming Biden has been diagnosed with prostate cancer with a Gleason score of nine (Grade Group 5), which has spread to the bones.
Well-wishes have since been flooding in for Biden from most, including from President Donald Trump.
However, it appears his son didn’t get the memo, as Don Jr instead took to the opportunity to apparently criticise Biden’s wife, Jill.
Donald Trump Jr has been accused of making an inappropriate statement about Biden (GRANT BALDWIN/AFP via Getty Images)
He wrote: “What I want to know is how did Dr. Jill Biden miss stage five metastatic cancer or is this yet another coverup???”
The 47-year-old trustee and executive vice president of the Trump Organization also agreed with a comment ‘without question’ that claimed Biden was ‘running the country as a vegetable under the rug.’
Dozens have since slammed his comment as ‘vile’ and ‘pure filth.’
“Mocking a man’s cancer and blaming his wife, who’s not even a medical doctor, shows just how low and shallow he is. ‘Stage five’? It’s Grade Group 5, bonehead,” another comment read. “This isn’t politics. It’s cruelty. Ugly, dumb, and vile. Nothing else to call it.”
Many pointed out Jill Biden has a PhD in education and is not a medic, to which one joked: “But you don’t have to be a medical doctor to diagnose Donald Trump Jr. terminally stupid and a vile human being.”
A third accused Don Jr of ‘shameless opportunism dressed up as patriotism.’
“You are slime. Absolute slime,” penned another.
Democrat campaigner, Harry Sisson, also said: “Donald Trump Jr. just made fun of President Biden’s cancer diagnosis. This is where we’re at in American politics. Trump Jr. is a pathetic, reprehensible conman who wouldn’t know decency if it smacked him in the face. Shame on him.”
The controversial comment comes as just a few hours prior to the damning post, Don Jr had shared an image that read: “BREAKING: Joe Biden has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. Politics aside, we wish him a speedy recovery!”
Dozens have sent well wishes to Biden (Scott Olson/Getty Images)
The father-of-five added with the caption: “Agreed 100 percent.”
Biden’s health became a prevailing concern among voters while on the campaign trail last year.
His televised performance in a 90-minute debate against Trump fueled concerns, prompting the then White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre to release a statement to deny that Biden was suffering from Alzheimer’s.
The 46th president of the US then pulled out of the campaign and handed the baton to former vice-president Kamala Harris whom was ultimately beaten by Trump.
Biden’s prostate cancer has a Gleason score of Grade 5, the most aggressive, though his reps said in a statement that medics determined it is ‘hormone-sensitive,’ allowing for ‘effective management’ of the condition.
Don Jr’s comments also come as the 44th POTUS, Barack Obama, wrote a heartfelt post on Twitter that read: “Michelle and I are thinking of the entire Biden family.
President Trump even sent a message of support to his former political rival (BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images)
“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.
“We pray for a fast and full recovery.”
Meanwhile, President Trump also sent a message of support, writing: “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.”Featured Image Credit: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images/Kent Nishimura/Getty Images
Topics: Joe Biden, Cancer, Politics, US News, Social Media, Donald Trump
Updated 09:04 19 May 2025 GMT+1Published 08:53 19 May 2025 GMT+1
Joe Biden’s ‘aggressive’ cancer diagnosis explained as Trump and Obama speak out
The former president has been diagnosed with prostate cancer with the highest Gleason score
Joe Biden’s ‘aggressive’ cancer diagnosis has been explained as former presidents issue well-wishes.
On Sunday (May 18), the office of the 82-year-old and former president released a statement, confirming Biden has been diagnosed with prostate cancer which has spread to the bones.
Biden’s reps confirmed the former 46th president of the United States was seen by medics last week for urinary symptoms who found a new ‘prostate nodule.’
The statement added: “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.
“The president and his family are reviewing treatment options with his physicians.”
Biden’s office has confirmed the diagnosis (Bruce Glikas/WireImage)
What is prostate cancer?
According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the US other than skin cancer, affecting around one in eight men.
The Mayo Clinic describes it as a ‘growth of cells’ that start in the prostate, a small gland found just below the bladder that produces semen.
It is usually detected early and grows slowly, with the clinic adding that most people diagnosed with prostate cancer are ‘cured.’
Essentially, many men can live with it for decades without needing treatment, though symptoms don’t always appear until the cancer is already developed and advanced.
Symptoms include needing to urinate more frequently, difficulty in peeing, straining or taking a long time while peeing, weak flow, and/or blood in urine or in semen, according to the NHS.
Signs that it may have spread further include bone and back pain, a loss of appetite, testicle pain and weight loss.
Prostate cancer affects the male reproductive system (Getty Images)
What is the Gleason score?
The Gleason score is used by medics to grade prostate cancer, according to Cancer Research.
The grade infers how much the cancer cells look like normal cells and how likely they are to grow or how aggressive they appear.
There are five grade groups with Grade Group 1 considered the least aggressive while Grade Group 5 is the most.
As Biden has a Gleason score of nine, he’s in the highest category, meaning the cells look very abnormal and is likely to grow quickly.
Biden with his grandson, Beau and wife, Jill, after his farewell address from the White House in January (Mandel Ngan – Pool/Getty Images)
What does the diagnosis mean for Joe Biden?
Biden presented to doctors with one of the most common symptoms of prostate cancer, urinary issues, though it appears the cancer has already spread to his bones.
While it is ‘not uncommon’ for older men in their 80s to be diagnosed with prostate cancer, Biden’s Gleason grade indicates it is ‘most advanced than most men would encounter’, Dr Ryan Clearly, a urologist at MedStar Health told the BBC.
Although Biden’s exact case is unknown, Dr Clearly added: “Generally about a third of patients will still be alive after five years of metastatic prostate cancer.”
Doctors also said Biden’s cancer is hormone-sensitive, meaning they can effectively ‘manage’ his prognosis by taking medications that block or lower the amount of hormones in the body to prevent further growth.
Dr Jamin Vinod Brahmbhatt, a urologist at Orlando Health Medical Group, told the news outlet that while such treatments are not ‘curative’ to the cancer, there are ‘more medical options to stabilise the patient and control the cancer, but it never gets rid of the cancer completely.’
Biden and his family are said to be reviewing treatment options.
Obama and Trump have both issued statements (MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)
What has Donald Trump and Barack Obama said about Biden’s cancer?
The 44th POTUS, Barack Obama, issued a statement after hearing the news.
He wrote in a post on Twitter: “Michelle and I are thinking of the entire Biden family.
“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.
“We pray for a fast and full recovery.”
Obama’s comment comes as Biden was passionate about tackling the cancer death rate while in office, following the death of his eldest son Beau who died of glioblastoma brain tumor in 2015.
Biden’s predecessor and successor, President Trump also sent a message of support, writing on Truth Social: “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.”Featured Image Credit: Win McNamee/Getty
Topics: Joe Biden, US News, Health, World News, Politics, Cancer, Donald Trump, Barack Obama
Updated 07:55 19 May 2025 GMT+1Published 07:25 19 May 2025 GMT+1
Donald Trump speaks out after Joe Biden is diagnosed with ‘aggressive’ cancer
The POTUS has issued a short statement
Donald Trump has issued a statement after Joe Biden is diagnosed with ‘aggressive’ cancer.
On Sunday (May 18), the office of the 82-year-old and former president released a statement, confirming Biden has been diagnosed with stage nine prostate cancer which has spread to the bone.
It read: “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.”
Voters have been worried about the former POTUS (Scott Olson/Getty Images)
The statement continued: “While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive which allows for effective management.
“The President and his family are reviewing treatment options with his physicians.”
Now, his successor, President Donald Trump, has issued his own statement about Biden’s heartbreaking health update.
Taking to his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote: “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 news comes as the health of the former POTUS was a prevailing concern for votes during his time as president – and during his bid for a second term.
While he ran again for a second shot in the Oval Office, with just three months left of the campaign he pulled out and handed the baton to former vice-president Kamala Harris.
His televised performance in a 90-minute debate against Trump fueled concerns, prompting the then White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre to release a statement to deny that Biden was suffering from Alzheimer’s.
In his announcement to his ‘fellow Americans,’ he said it was the ‘greatest honor of of my life’ to serve as President, adding: “And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term.”
Trump reclaimed the White House in 2025 (MELINA MARA/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
As the 46th president of the United States, Biden was elected into the role on November 7, 2020, beating Trump at the polls.
The Democrat then finished his first and only term in office on January 20, when 78-year-old Trump reclaimed the White House having beaten Harris.
In February 2023, Biden completed a procedure to remove a ‘basal cell carcinoma,’ a common type of skin cancer from his chest.
And in November 2021, he had a polyp removed from his colon that was benign but possibly pre-cancerous.
Biden remained passionate about tackling the cancer death rate, particularly following the death of his eldest son Beau who died of glioblastoma brain tumor in 2015.
What is a Gleason score?
The Gleason score is used by medics to grade prostate cancer, according to Cancer Research.
The grade infers how much the cancer cells look like normal cells and how likely they are to grow or how aggressive they appear.
There are five grade groups with Grade Group 1 considered the least aggressive while Grade Group 5 is the most.
As Biden has a Gleason score of nine, he’s in the highest category, meaning the cells look very abnormal and is likely to grow quickly.
However, as it is hormone-sensitive, doctors say they can effectively ‘manage’ his prognosis.Featured Image Credit: Pool/Getty
Topics: Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Cancer, Health, Kamala Harris, US News, Politics
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Published 15:06 19 May 2025 GMT+1
Why health experts are shocked by Joe Biden’s ‘aggressive’ cancer diagnosis
The former POTUS revealed he’s been diagnosed with prostate cancer
Health experts have claimed there is something ‘odd’ about Joe Biden’s cancer announcement.
The 46th president of the United States has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, reps for the 82-year-old confirmed on Sunday (May 18).
The statement revealed Biden had been assessed by medics last week for urinary issues and found a new ‘prostate nodule’ that they say has been ‘characterized by a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5)’ with ‘metastasis to the bone’.
There are five grade groups within the Gleason score, with Grade Group 1 considered the least aggressive while Grade Group 5 is the most, based on scores between two to 10 on how abnormal the cancer cells are.
Healthcare professionals say they are shocked to hear about the former president’s diagnosis (Bruce Glikas/WireImage)
Biden with a score of nine points puts him at the high end in Group 5, however, doctors say his cancer is hormone-sensitive, so they can effectively ‘manage’ it with medications that block or lower the amount of hormones to prevent further growth.
However, some health experts say they are shocked by the sudden announcement, finding it unusual that Biden’s prostate cancer wasn’t caught earlier.
Doctor Howard Forman, a physician and professor of radiology an public health at Yale University, said in a post on Twitter: “It is inconceivable that this was not being followed before he left the Presidency.
“Gleason grade 9 would have had an elevated PSA [prostate specific antigen] level for some time before this diagnosis. And he must have had a PSA test numerous times before.”
The expert added: “This is odd. I wish him well and hope he has an opportunity for maximizing his quality of life.”
Biden has been transparent about his health problems in the past (Mandel Ngan – Pool/Getty Images)
Doctor Steven Quay, a physician-scientist, also wrote in The Spectator that metastatic prostate cancer doesn’t tend to ‘appear overnight’ but ‘festers’.
“Prostate cancer is the easiest cancer to diagnose. The PSA blood test shows the rate of cancer cell growth. Even with the most aggressive form, it is a 5-7 year journey without treatment before it becomes metastatic,” he added.
However, he admits in some ‘rare but dangerous cases’, prostate cancer can accelerate rapidly and strike faster, ‘especially in older men’.
According to the American Cancer Society, the disease is often caught through screening, particularly as early prostate cancers don’t always cause symptoms.
Symptoms can include needing to urinate more frequently, difficulty in peeing, straining or taking a long time while peeing, weak flow, and/or blood in urine or in semen, according to the NHS, but essentially men can live with it for decades without needing treatment – and such symptoms don’t always appear until the cancer is already developed and advanced.
Biden’s son Beau passed away from a brain tumor in 2015 (PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP via Getty Images)
The news comes as the health of the former POTUS was a prevailing concern for voters during his time as president – and during his bid for a second term.
His televised performance in a 90-minute debate against Republican rival Donald Trump fueled concerns, prompting the then White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre to release a statement to deny that Biden was suffering from Alzheimer’s.
He’s also been transparent about other health battles in the past, having a polyp removed from his colon that was benign but possibly pre-cancerous in November 2021, and having a ‘basal cell carcinoma’, a common type of skin cancer, removed from his chest in February 2023.
While he ran again for a second shot in the Oval Office, with just three months left of the campaign he pulled out and handed the baton to former vice-president Kamala Harris, who ultimately lost to Trump.
Biden used his time in office on a mission to tackle the cancer death rate following the tragic passing of his eldest son, Beau, who died at the age of 46 of an aggressive brain tumor in 2015.Featured Image Credit: Brandon Bell/Getty Images
Topics: Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Politics, US News, Health
