Just when the political spotlight had begun to dim on former President Joe Biden after his decision to step back from public office, a heartbreaking update has shaken both supporters and critics alike.
The 82-year-old has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer — one that has already spread to his bones.
Messages of Support Flood In Across Political Lines
What stood out most on Sunday wasn’t just the seriousness of the diagnosis, but how leaders from all corners of the political world responded — many putting aside party lines to offer empathy.
Georgia Republican and MAGA figure Marjorie Taylor Greene, known for rarely backing anything Biden-related, shared a surprisingly heartfelt message.
She recalled losing her own father to cancer in 2021 and described the disease as “truly awful,” expressing sympathy for the Biden family.
Democratic leaders, naturally, rallied around the former president.
Vice President Kamala Harris posted a joint message with her husband Doug Emhoff, sending prayers and emphasizing Biden’s resilience.
“Joe is a fighter,” Harris wrote, adding that she’s confident he’ll face this illness with the same determination that shaped his presidency.
Cancer Diagnosis Details Raise Alarms
Biden’s team confirmed that doctors found a “small nodule” during a routine checkup, which led to deeper testing.
That resulted in a diagnosis of prostate cancer with a Gleason score of 9 — the most severe grade possible.
Even more concerning, the cancer has metastasized to his bones.
Despite the gravity of the diagnosis, his doctors are optimistic that the cancer is hormone-sensitive, meaning treatments could still help manage the condition effectively.
Still, the diagnosis is undeniably serious and has cast a heavy shadow over his health.
From Friends to Critics, The Well Wishes Continue
Former DNC chairman Jaime Harrison and political commentator Meghan McCain were among many prominent voices expressing support.
McCain, daughter of the late Senator John McCain — who also battled cancer — said she hoped politics would be set aside in times like these.
“Wishing nothing but healing, prayers, light and strength,” she wrote.
Congressman Ro Khanna of California echoed those sentiments, emphasizing Biden’s strength and the deep bond he shares with his wife, Jill.
“They’ve always been fighters,” Khanna wrote.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, a potential future face of the Democratic Party, also called Biden “a truly decent man and a friend” as he offered prayers on behalf of himself and his wife.
Health Concerns Were Mounting Even Before This
This isn’t the first health scare Biden has faced. In early 2023, he had a cancerous lesion removed from his chest, and he’s previously undergone procedures to treat non-melanoma skin cancer.
Prostate issues are common among older men, but the aggressiveness and spread of this cancer make this case particularly serious.
The news arrives not long after Biden bowed out of the 2024 presidential race.
Concerns about his physical and mental fitness had been building for some time, with some Democratic insiders admitting they were misled by advisers who claimed he was in good health behind closed doors.
What’s Next for the Former President?
The immediate focus is on treatment and quality of life.
While the cancer is aggressive, doctors believe it can still be managed thanks to its hormone sensitivity.
Biden has not made any public appearances since the diagnosis, but the outpouring of support may provide some comfort in what is clearly a difficult chapter for him and his loved ones.
As America processes this sobering update, one thing is clear: whether political ally or opponent, many are united in wishing Joe Biden the strength to fight this latest battle.