Joe Biden has denied hiding his cancer from the American public, insisting he would have resigned as president if he had known he was battling the disease, reports BritPanorama.
The former president, 83, declared he would never have pursued reelection in 2024 if he had been aware of his diagnosis. He defended his capability to lead, amid ongoing concerns regarding his age and health.
In a recent interview with People magazine at his home in Wilmington, Delaware, Biden addressed accusations of concealing his health issues during his presidency. “A lot of people do that. They hide bad news from the public if they’re elected officials,” he stated. “I didn’t do that. We let the public know when I found out, when I knew what was going on.”
Biden was diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer in May 2025, shortly after leaving the White House. The diagnosis has raised questions about whether he was unaware of his condition while in office. However, Biden maintained he would have made different decisions regarding his political future had he known he was ill. “If I had known that I was feeling lousy because I had cancer, I would have resigned,” he remarked, asserting that he does not believe an 80-year-old man with cancer should be running for president.
Despite this, he expressed confidence in his ability to handle the demands of the presidency during his time in office. “I believe that on an objective basis, I was the best-equipped person to do the job,” he asserted. Biden dismissed suggestions that his health impacted his work, stating, “I never felt the toll.” He referenced the demanding nature of the presidency, insisting he found it manageable.
Concerns were raised about why Biden did not undergo routine prostate cancer screenings during his annual medical exams at the White House. He noted that medical guidelines generally advise against such screenings for men over 70. “Look, White House doctors are doing what the whole entire medical profession is doing,” he explained. He acknowledged some discomfort and pain but claimed there were no apparent warning signs.
Currently undergoing treatment, Biden reported encouraging results from recent tests. “It looks very positive,” he commented about his condition. “There are a lot of people who’ve been diagnosed with cancer, particularly the kind of cancer I have, who live long lives.” He detailed that he is currently taking eight different medications daily.
Biden addressed criticisms regarding his decision to seek reelection at age 81, acknowledging that voters have legitimate concerns about an elderly candidate. “It’s natural,” he said, while also underscoring his extensive experience in Washington and established relationships with world leaders as assets in his presidency.
The interview is significant following Biden’s challenging debate performance against Donald Trump in June 2024, which prompted increased calls for him to withdraw from the race. He downplayed the importance of debate mistakes, stating, “I don’t know anybody who hasn’t made a mistake in a debate.”
Biden eventually withdrew from the presidential race in July 2024, endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris, who subsequently lost to Trump. He is now preparing to release his memoir, titled Promise Me, America, on November 17, though his cancer treatment may limit promotional engagements.
Throughout this unfolding narrative, Biden’s responses reflect not only his personal circumstances but also the continuous scrutiny on leadership capability and health in political arenas, underscoring the intersection of personal challenges and public accountability in contemporary leadership.
