Former US President Donald Trump has questioned the transparency surrounding Joe Biden’s recent prostate cancer diagnosis, suggesting that either the President or his medical team concealed the severity of his condition. Speaking at a press briefing, Trump described the situation as “very sad” and raised concerns about the length of time it may have taken to detect the disease. Mr Biden’s office announced on Sunday that he had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer, which has reportedly spread to his bones.
Mr Trump expressed scepticism over how such a serious illness had gone unnoticed until now, particularly given Mr Biden’s routine physicals at Walter Reed Medical Centre. Referring to the Gleason score of nine, which marks the cancer as highly aggressive, Trump questioned why the diagnosis had not been made earlier. He added that Walter Reed houses some of the “best doctors” he’s encountered, making the delay in detection all the more questionable. “Maybe it was the same doctor, and somebody is not telling the facts,” Trump remarked.
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Medical experts have offered mixed responses to the late-stage diagnosis. Professor Karol Sikora, formerly of the World Health Organisation’s Cancer Programme, described the timing as “very unusual” and suggested that while a cover-up was possible, a rapidly progressing cancer was more likely. Biden’s last physical, conducted in February the previous year by his personal physician Dr Kevin O’Connor, declared the President “fit for duty” with no new health concerns. Nonetheless, the diagnosis has reignited speculation over both his physical and mental capabilities in office.
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Adding to the scrutiny, Trump referenced recent claims that Biden had shown signs of cognitive decline, citing a new book that alleges he forgot names of long-time aides. Despite mounting criticism, Mr Biden has never undertaken a formal cognitive test during his presidency, defending his mental acuity by saying that his role demands constant engagement. Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance questioned why the American public had not been better informed about the President’s health issues. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed any concerns about the medical care at Walter Reed, calling the team “phenomenal.”
