Former US President Joe Biden on Friday gave his first public speech since announcing his aggressive prostate cancer diagnosis.
Biden addressed a Memorial Day service in New Castle, Delaware. The event also marked ten years since the death of his son, Beau Biden.
Speaking at Veterans Memorial Park , the 82-year-old democratic leader discussed his personal loss, national unity, and his ongoing treatment.
The appearance came two weeks after Biden was diagnosed with an advanced form of prostate cancer. It has spread to his bones, but he assured the public his treatment is underway and his prognosis is hopeful.
“The expectation is we’re going to be able to beat this. It’s not in any organ, my bones are strong. Haven’t penetrated so I’m feeling good,” Biden said after the ceremony. He added, “It’s all a matter of taking a pill, one particular pill, for the next six weeks and then another one.”
“This day is the 10th anniversary of the loss of my son Beau, who spent a year in Iraq. And to be honest, it’s a hard day,” Biden told the crowd. “Being with all of you, quite frankly, makes things a little bit easier. It really does. So thank you for allowing me to grieve with you.”
Earlier on Friday, Joe and former first lady Jill Biden attended a memorial mass for Beau at Saint Joseph on the Brandywine Catholic Church in Wilmington. The former president noted that Memorial Day remains “deeply personal” for his family. “One of the proudest things I ever did was pinning his bars on him,” Biden said. “It means so much to our family that the headquarters of the Delaware National Guard has been renamed after Beau.”
Biden's office confirmed the diagnosis earlier this month, revealing a Gleason score of 9, the most severe level, placing him in Grade Group 5. The cancer was discovered in mid-May, and records show Biden had not undergone prostate screening since 2014.
The former president’s remarks also came in the shadow of recent controversy. A newly released book, Original Sin by Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson, has accused those around Biden of hiding signs of physical and mental decline, as well as concealing Beau’s health battle. Biden dismissed the claims, saying, “They are wrong. There’s nothing to sustain that.”
Jill and Joe Biden both publicly refuted the allegations during an appearance on The View earlier this month.
Biden addressed a Memorial Day service in New Castle, Delaware. The event also marked ten years since the death of his son, Beau Biden.
Speaking at Veterans Memorial Park , the 82-year-old democratic leader discussed his personal loss, national unity, and his ongoing treatment.
The appearance came two weeks after Biden was diagnosed with an advanced form of prostate cancer. It has spread to his bones, but he assured the public his treatment is underway and his prognosis is hopeful.
🚨 NEW: This morning, on the 10th anniversary of Major Beau Biden’s passing, the Biden family hosted a Memorial Day event in Delaware to honor the fallen.
— Chris D. Jackson (@ChrisDJackson) May 30, 2025
There, President @JoeBiden gave his first speech since his cancer diagnosis.
He looked strong. He sounded great. Still… pic.twitter.com/1p5iPAVL4d
“The expectation is we’re going to be able to beat this. It’s not in any organ, my bones are strong. Haven’t penetrated so I’m feeling good,” Biden said after the ceremony. He added, “It’s all a matter of taking a pill, one particular pill, for the next six weeks and then another one.”
“This day is the 10th anniversary of the loss of my son Beau, who spent a year in Iraq. And to be honest, it’s a hard day,” Biden told the crowd. “Being with all of you, quite frankly, makes things a little bit easier. It really does. So thank you for allowing me to grieve with you.”
Earlier on Friday, Joe and former first lady Jill Biden attended a memorial mass for Beau at Saint Joseph on the Brandywine Catholic Church in Wilmington. The former president noted that Memorial Day remains “deeply personal” for his family. “One of the proudest things I ever did was pinning his bars on him,” Biden said. “It means so much to our family that the headquarters of the Delaware National Guard has been renamed after Beau.”
Biden's office confirmed the diagnosis earlier this month, revealing a Gleason score of 9, the most severe level, placing him in Grade Group 5. The cancer was discovered in mid-May, and records show Biden had not undergone prostate screening since 2014.
The former president’s remarks also came in the shadow of recent controversy. A newly released book, Original Sin by Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson, has accused those around Biden of hiding signs of physical and mental decline, as well as concealing Beau’s health battle. Biden dismissed the claims, saying, “They are wrong. There’s nothing to sustain that.”
Jill and Joe Biden both publicly refuted the allegations during an appearance on The View earlier this month.
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