On Sunday, President Donald Trump expressed sympathy for former President Joe Biden following the announcement that Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer.
“Melania and I are saddened to hear about Joe Biden’s recent medical diagnosis,” Trump wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social. “We extend our warmest and best wishes to Jill and the family, and we wish Joe a fast and successful recovery.”
This message came shortly after Biden’s personal office shared the news, stating that while the cancer is aggressive, it appears to be hormone-sensitive, which allows for effective treatment. Biden and his family are currently reviewing their options with doctors.
Trump’s Mixed Tone Amid Political Rivalry
Despite this compassionate message, Trump has recently been critical of Biden, especially in the last few weeks. Just two days earlier, Trump accused Biden of being “hapless and cognitively impaired,” referring to leaked audio from Biden’s 2023 interview with special counsel Robert Hur, where Biden struggled to remember important details.
Democratic Leaders React
Biden’s cancer diagnosis comes amid ongoing discussions about his health and future leadership. Several Democrats seen as possible candidates for the 2028 presidential race, including Pete Buttigieg and Senator Chris Murphy, have faced questions about Biden’s mental fitness and whether he should have left the 2024 race earlier.
After a recent town hall, Buttigieg said, “Right now, with the benefit of hindsight, I think most people would agree that that’s the case,” referring to Biden’s late exit from the race.
He added, “We’re also not in a position to wallow in hindsight. We’ve got to get ready for some fundamental tests of the future of this country and this party, some of which are going on this very year, and many of which will come next year.”