On Monday, President Donald Trump shifted from a sympathetic tone to questioning President Joe Biden’s fitness for office following Biden’s recent cancer diagnosis. During remarks at a White House law enforcement event, Trump suggested Biden may have hidden his condition, fueling conspiracy theories in the wake of Biden’s announcement that he has advanced, incurable prostate cancer. “It’s very sad,” Trump said. “I’m surprised the public wasn’t told sooner—stage 9 takes time.” (Biden has stage 4 cancer with a Gleason score of 9; there is no “stage 9.”) Trump also claimed to have recently passed his own physical and cognitive tests, raising doubts about why Biden’s checkups hadn’t included similar evaluations. “It’s not just a political issue—it’s dangerous for the country,” Trump said, suggesting key facts about Biden’s condition were being withheld. Despite Trump’s comments, medical experts explain that aggressive prostate cancer can go undetected in older men, especially since PSA screenings are generally not recommended past age 70. Biden, who is 82, was diagnosed Friday with prostate cancer that has metastasized to his bones but is hormone-sensitive and potentially manageable. On Sunday, Trump had taken a more compassionate tone, posting a message of support to Biden and his family. Biden later thanked the public for its encouragement, writing, “Cancer touches us all… Thank you for lifting us up with love and support.”
