Former U.S. President Joe Biden made his first public statements since the announcement earlier this month of his "aggressive" prostate cancer diagnosis, sharing an optimistic outlook on his health. Speaking to reporters on Friday, May 30, Biden declared, "Well, the prognosis is good. You know, we're working on everything. It's moving along. So, I feel good."
He confirmed that a treatment plan involving various medications had been chosen, expressing confidence in overcoming the disease. "The expectation is, we're going to be able to beat this… it's not in any organ. My bones are strong. It hasn't penetrated so I'm feeling good," Biden stated, further noting that his family shares his optimism and that he is being treated by "one of the leading surgeons in the world." This positive update comes after his office's initial announcement that there was "metastasis to the bone."
Beyond his health, Biden also addressed the ongoing debate surrounding his mental and physical fitness for office. With a smile, he playfully remarked, "You can see that – I'm mentally incompetent and I can't walk," in response to questions about the recent controversy. When pressed about Democrats who suggested he shouldn't have sought re-election, a defiant Biden retorted, "Why didn't they run against me then? Because I'd have beaten them," asserting he harbors no regrets about his tenure.
He emphasized the gravity of the current global situation, stating, "There's a lot going on. And I think we're in a really difficult moment, not only in American history, in world history. I think we're one of those inflection points in history where the decisions we make in the next little bit are going to determine what things look like for the next 20 years," while expressing pride in his presidential record.
Finally, when asked about White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt's recent remarks accusing former first lady Jill Biden of lying about her husband's health, Biden initially feigned ignorance, smiling and saying, "I don't know who the press secretary is," before clarifying it was a joke and anticipating the media's straightforward interpretation of his quip.
