According to a statement released by his office on Sunday, former President Joe Biden was diagnosed with prostate cancer last week.
A spokesperson for the former president told ABC News on May 13 that a “small nodule” had been found during a “routine physical exam,” which prompted the news.
According to his office, his prostate cancer diagnosis is “characterized by a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5) with metastasis to the bone,” as stated on Sunday. “While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive which allows for effective management.”
Former President Barack Obama, President Donald Trump, and other political figures started expressing their support for the former US leader as Biden and his family considered their treatment options.
“Michelle and I are thinking of the entire Biden family,” Obama wrote in a heartfelt post on X on Sunday night. Joe has done more than anyone else to develop innovative treatments for cancer in all its forms, and I have no doubt that he will meet this challenge with his characteristic poise and determination. We hope for a speedy and complete recovery.
“Melania and I are saddened to hear about Joe Biden’s recent medical diagnosis,” Trump wrote on Truth Social that same day. We wish Joe a speedy and full recovery and send our warmest regards to Jill and the family.”
Kamala Harris, the former vice president, also wrote on X on Sunday that she and her husband are praying for President Joe Biden and his family. “Joe is a fighter — and I know he will face this challenge with the same strength, resilience, and optimism that have always defined his life and leadership,” she stated. Separately, her husband Doug Emhoff, Biden’s former second gentleman, sent his condolences.
Former State Secretary Hillary Clinton also expressed her condolences on social media, writing, “I’m thinking of the Bidens as they take on cancer, a disease they’ve done so much to try to spare other families from.” I hope you recover completely and quickly.
On his personal account, former President Bill Clinton also posted a message that read, “My friend Joe Biden has always been a fighter. Hillary and I are supporting him and will be thinking of him, Jill, and the whole family.
In a post on X, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, “Jeanette and I are united in prayer for the Biden Family amid this difficult time.”
After hearing the news, California Governor Gavin Newsom wrote on X on Sunday, “Our hearts are with President Biden and his entire family right now.” “He deserves to live a long and beautiful life because he is a man of dignity, strength, and compassion. I’m sending him prayers, strength, and healing.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker wrote on social media, “President Biden knows that when you get knocked down, you get back up and fight,” and added, “We’re with you in this fight, Joe.”
Kathy Hochul, the governor of New York, wrote on X, “President Biden has served our nation with distinction,” “During this difficult time, Bill and I are praying for his health and a speedy recovery.”
Hochul was joined in those views by other Democratic leaders from her state.
“As he and his family travel the path ahead with this medical team, I hope that all Americans will join me in praying for them. “We all hope you recover quickly,” New York Mayor Eric Adams wrote on Sunday.
“Heartbreaking news this afternoon,” wrote New York Attorney General Letitia James in a note on X. I hope President Biden recovers completely, and I’m praying for him and his whole family.”
In her social media post, Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin of the Department of Homeland Security also expressed her prayers for Biden’s family.
“This is terrible news. In a social media post, Arizona Governor Katie Dobbs expressed her sympathies for former President Biden and his whole family.
“Joe Biden is a religious man, just like a lot of us. “Our faith sustains us during difficult times and gives us the strength to endure,” wrote Ken Martin, the chair of the Democratic National Committee. “Jenn and I are keeping the President and his family in our prayers.”
“He stood with me during some of the toughest times in our state, and we stand with him today,” Maryland Governor Wes Moore wrote on X. We offer up prayers for his fortitude and speedy recuperation.
“Gwen and I are praying for President Biden and his family,” Minnesota Governor Tim Walz expressed on X. Walz was the Democratic candidate for vice president in the 2024 elections. “A friend and a really good man. We’re sending him our best wishes.
Vivek Ramaswamy, a former Republican presidential candidate and current Ohio gubernatorial candidate, expressed hope and urged bipartisan cooperation on social media by writing, “Let’s pray for the health of our nation’s former President, politics aside. There is still hope for an effective treatment because it appears that his metastatic prostate cancer is still in the hormone-sensitive disease stage.
“Tammy and I are keeping former President @JoeBiden in our prayers and wishing Jill and the entire Biden family strength during this difficult time,” Phil Murphy, the governor of New Jersey, tweeted.
Along with expressing support for Biden and his spouse, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro wrote on X, “May they find strength and hope in one another, and be lifted up by the thoughts and prayers of Americans across the country who are thinking of them right now.”
Xavier Becerra, a former secretary of HHS, also said prayers for the former president.
“President Biden is a man of deep faith and extraordinary resilience,” said Pete Buttigieg, the former secretary of transportation, in a post. “Chasten and I are keeping him, and the entire Biden family, in our prayers for strength and healing.”
On social media, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi expressed her prayers for Biden and her “love for him and his family.”
On social media, members of Congress from both parties also expressed their best wishes for the Biden family.
Democratic senators John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, Tim Kaine of Virginia, Ruben Gallego of New Mexico, and Peter Welch of Vermont all offered their support.
Among the Republican senators were Roger Marshall of Kansas, Susan Collins of Maine, and Tom Tillis of North Carolina.
California Democratic Representative Ro Khanna wrote, “He and Jill have always been fighters, and I am confident they will meet this challenge with grit and grace.”
Representative Joyce Beatty, a Democrat from Ohio, posted on X, “As you face this health challenge, my prayers are with you—for continued courage, grace in this moment of trial, and a full recovery.”
Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Republican, posted on X, “I’m sorry to hear this news. Cancer is a terrible disease. My father died of cancer in 2021. Joe Biden and his family are in our prayers.
Rep. Mike Lawler of New York and Rep. Anna Paulina Luna of Florida, both Republicans, also sent their best wishes.
In a statement issued Sunday night, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said, “The Biden family has faced unfathomable hardship with dignity and unwavering tenacity over the years. We support President Biden in facing this challenge with the same bravery and tenacity he has displayed throughout his life.”
