ATLANTA (AP) Former President Joe Biden recently revealed in an interview with People magazine that he was unaware of his cancer diagnosis during his presidency. He expressed that if he had known he was suffering from cancer, he would not have pursued a second term in office. Biden, who will turn 84 on November 20, stated, "If I had known that I was feeling lousy because I had cancer, I would’ve not gone forward" with his 2024 reelection bid.
The former Democratic president's comments come just before the release of his forthcoming White House memoir. His reelection campaign was marked by significant challenges, notably culminating in a disastrous debate performance against Republican Donald Trump.
Biden revealed that he was diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer months after leaving office in 2025. In the interview, he candidly stated, "I don’t think an 80-year-old man with cancer should be running" for the presidency. Despite acknowledging the scrutiny surrounding his age and capabilities, particularly after the June 2024 debate, he maintained that the event did not significantly worry him, remarking, "it wasn’t consequential."
Following the debate, Biden announced the end of his campaign and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, who subsequently secured the Democratic nomination but ultimately lost to Trump in the general election. Throughout his presidency, Biden defended his capability to perform his duties, asserting that despite his age, he was "the best-equipped person to do the job" due to his experience and relationships with world leaders.
Biden's son, Hunter Biden, confirmed in August that his father's cancer had advanced and was causing him pain. Hunter described the condition as "very painful and it’s very debilitating in many respects." Since Joe Biden left office, Hunter has become a more visible public figure, engaging with Republicans on social media and entering discussions about national issues, including launching his own cryptocurrency.
In the interview, Joe Biden defended his son's public persona and discussed his decision to pardon Hunter following a 2024 conviction on federal firearm charges and a guilty plea related to federal tax charges. Hunter has faced intense scrutiny over his international business dealings amid ongoing Republican attacks.
Hunter Biden suggested that the pardon could tarnish his father's legacy, but Joe Biden argued that it was necessary due to Trump's aggressive tactics. "I knew what he would do," Biden said, explaining his rationale behind the decision to protect not only family members but anyone close to him. "If I hadn’t pardoned... anyone who’s dealt with me, he would go back and try to do harm to them," he noted.
In a show of support, Biden called Hunter "one of the brightest men I know" and expressed pride in him. This interview shines a light on the former president's reflections on his health, his role as a parent, and the challenges he faced during and after his presidency.
