Trump, Kamala lead tributes after Joe Biden reveals cancer diagnosis: Latest updates

As president, Biden had regular physical examinations at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, that were conducted by Dr. Kevin O’Connor, a former U.S. Army physician who began treating Biden during his time as vice president in the Obama administration.

Though he was the oldest person to serve as commander-in-chief, O’Connor’s reports from those annual exams downplayed his age and invariably pronounced him fit to serve.

One February 2024 memorandum from O’Connor, following Biden’s final annual physical as president, described him as “a healthy, active, robust 81-year-old male, who remains fit to successfully execute the duties of the Presidency, to include those as Chief Executive, Head of State and Commander in Chief.”

Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer among men in the U.S., affecting approximately one in eight men during their lifetime.

While the condition is more likely to affect men over the age of 65, it can be diagnosed at a younger age.

President Donald Trump has said he’s “saddened” after his predecessor and rival Joe Biden was diagnosed with prostate cancer.

“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,” Trump said on Truth Social.

Marco Rubio, the Secretary of State, issued a short statement acknowledging former president Joe Biden had been diagnosed with prostate cancer.

“Jeanette and I are united in prayer for the Biden Family during this difficult time,” Rubio wrote on X.

Former president Joe Biden’s diagnosis of what his office calls an “aggressive” form of prostate cancer is the latest in a long line of health woes and scares that have followed the 82-year-old throughout his political career.

As the oldest person to serve as president of the United States, Joe Biden’s physical and cognitive health has been questioned by political enemies and allies alike.

Whether or not Biden could withstand the stresses of being president for four years became a question when the former president launched his 2020 presidential bid.

Those questions turned into a controversy after Biden took office and then launched a re-election bid.

Any stumble or stutter the former president experienced became headline news, with his opponents heightening fears that Biden was unfit to be president.

Ultimately, Biden’s poor performance during his debate against President Donald Trump solidified the public’s uneasiness with Biden remaining in office.