WASHINGTON, May 20 — US President Donald Trump on Monday suggested there may have been a cover-up surrounding Joe Biden’s cancer diagnosis, expressing surprise that the public had not been informed sooner about the former president’s condition.
WASHINGTON, May 20 — US President Donald Trump on Monday suggested there may have been a cover-up surrounding Joe Biden’s cancer diagnosis, expressing surprise that the public had not been informed sooner about the former president’s condition.
Trump’s remarks came just a day after it was revealed that Biden, 82, is battling an aggressive form of prostate cancer. The Republican president also linked the issue to a broader political controversy sparked by a recently released book, which alleges the Biden White House concealed signs of his cognitive decline during his time in office.
In response to the diagnosis, Biden had earlier thanked the public for the overwhelming support he received, describing the response as a “flood of love and support.”
When asked for his reaction, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office: “I’m surprised that the public wasn’t notified a long time ago. It takes a long time to get to that situation, to get to a stage nine,” he said, referring to Biden’s Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5) — the second-highest rating for prostate cancer severity according to the American Cancer Society.
Medical experts interviewed by AFP noted that it’s not uncommon for even advanced cancers to go undetected due to limitations in screening, despite high-level medical care.
Trump also questioned the role of Biden’s doctors, saying, “It’s the same doctor that said Joe was cognitively fine. There are things going on that the public wasn’t informed of.”
Throughout the 2024 election campaign, Trump frequently raised doubts about Biden’s cognitive health. Although he initially said on Sunday that he was “saddened” by Biden’s diagnosis, he later echoed unproven claims of a cover-up—claims that were amplified by his son, Donald Trump Jr.
On Sunday, Don Jr. questioned whether Biden’s cancer should have been detected earlier, and by Monday he was promoting unfounded allegations that a previous diagnosis had been concealed. He shared a 2022 video clip of Biden saying, “I, and so damn many other people I grew up with, have cancer,” interpreting it as a possible slip.
Vice President JD Vance also weighed in, stating that it’s important to be honest about Biden’s health. “You can wish him well and still recognize that—whether it was his doctors or staffers—he wasn’t able to serve the American people effectively,” Vance said after a meeting with Pope Leo XIV.
The controversy comes as Biden faces renewed scrutiny over his health, triggered in part by the new book Original Sin by CNN’s Jake Tapper and Axios’ Alex Thompson. The book alleges that Biden’s aides attempted to hide signs of his decline.
Biden’s granddaughter, Naomi, criticized the authors, calling the book “a bunch of unoriginal, uninspired lies written by irresponsible, self-promoting journalists trying to make a quick buck.”
The White House has repeatedly denied any attempt to conceal Biden’s condition.
Meanwhile, the announcement of Biden’s diagnosis has prompted support from across the political spectrum, including Vice President Kamala Harris and the public.
“Cancer touches us all. Like so many of you, Jill and I have learned that we are strongest in the broken places,” Biden posted on social media alongside a photo of himself with former First Lady Jill Biden. “Thank you for lifting us up with love and support.”
Britain’s King Charles III, who is also undergoing treatment for an unspecified cancer, sent a personal message of support to Biden over the weekend, according to Buckingham Palace.
Biden’s physical and cognitive health had long been a central issue in the 2024 election. Following a poor debate performance against Trump, Biden ultimately withdrew from the race for a second term. — AFP
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