The US president wished his predecessor well
07:00, 19 May 2025Updated 07:00, 19 May 2025
Donald Trump shakes hands with Joe Biden during his inauguration in January(Image: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Donald Trump has issued a statement after his predecessor Joe Biden was diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Mr Biden received the devastating diagnosis after undergoing medical tests last week.
The 82-year-old had been suffering with urinary symptoms before he was tested, his office revealed on Sunday (May 18).
The 46th US president, who left office in January, was diagnosed with an ‘aggressive’ form of prostate cancer which had spread to his bones.
Mr Trump lost to Mr Biden in the 2020 US election and began to run against him in 2024, until the president was replaced by Kamala Harris as the Democrat candidate.
The current president challenged Mr Biden on his state of health while the pair were political rivals, remarking on his predecessor’s perceived decline while in office.
But in an uncharacteristically short and sweet message on his social media platform, Truth Social, Mr Trump shared warm words for his predecessor.
Joe Biden was formally diagnosed on Friday(Image: AP)
He said: “Melania and I are saddened to hear about Joe Biden’s recent medical diagnosis.
“We extend our warmest and best wishes to Jill and the family, and we wish Joe a fast and successful recovery.”
Prostate cancer is assigned a Gleason score, which ranges from two to 10 and indicates how abnormal the cancer cells are when compared to healthy tissue under a microscope.
Mr Biden’s office reported his score was nine, suggesting a highly aggressive form of the disease.
“While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive, which allows for effective management,” a statement from Mr Biden’s office read.
“The President and his family are reviewing treatment options with his physicians.”
Sir Keir Starmer was among the global political figures to wish Mr Biden well following the announcement.
Sir Keir Starmer and Joe Biden last July(Image: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire)
The Prime Minister said: “I am very sorry to hear President Biden has prostate cancer.
“All the very best to Joe, his wife Jill and their family, and wishing the President swift and successful treatment.”
Mr Biden, 82, previously dealt with a form of skin cancer in early 2023, while in November 2021 he had a benign but potentially pre-cancerous polyp removed from his bowel.
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