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By Sophie Clark
Live News Reporter
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A video of former president Joe Biden from 2022, in which he appeared to say he had cancer, has been resurfaced by critics following his public prostate cancer diagnosis.
The video, which is from a speech about pollution in Massachusetts, shows Biden discussing how pollution impacts public health. He says, "That's why I—and so damn many other people I grew up with—have cancer."
A White House spokesperson at the time explained that what Biden was referring to in the off-script statement was his non-melanoma skin cancer diagnosis. This skin cancer had been removed at the time of the speech.
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Why It Matters
Biden's announcement of his prostate cancer diagnosis has prompted questions over whether he was hiding his diagnosis from the public while in office. A number of people, including doctors and lawmakers, have pointed to the Massachusetts speech as evidence that he may have had a more serious diagnosis while in office.
The cancer announcement comes as the former Biden administration has faced accusations of covering up for the president's physical and mental decline throughout his term.
What To Know
The clip of Biden saying he "has cancer" was resurfaced by a number of people, including right-wing X (formerly Twitter) accounts like Tucker Carlson and Newsmax contributor Nick Sortor, who posted the video to his account, captioning it: "Have they been covering this up for YEARS?"
This post has received 4.3 million views, and 35,000 likes.
The comment, which the White House said was a Biden gaffe in 2022, was picked up by the Republican National Committee at the time who tweeted: "Did Joe Biden just admit he has cancer?"
In response, White House spokesperson Andrew Bates reposted a tweet about how Biden was discussing his non-melanoma skin cancer, captioning his tweet: "This is what he was referring to."
The White House never addressed the president's use of the present tense when referring to his cancer in 2022.
Republican Representative Ronny Jackson, who was President Donald Trump's White House physician during his first term, said on X of Biden's revelation, "Sad and unfortunate and I wish the former President the best in his treatment of this cancer. Care at the White House should be second to none. Unbelievable this was missed, but the truth is, his physician was more concerned about assisting with the political cover up than providing world class medical care."
Similar "cover-up" theories have been boosted by the Trump family, as Donald Trump Jr., posted to X asking about the diagnosis, "What I want to know is how did Dr. Jill Biden miss stage five metastatic cancer or is this yet another coverup???"
Former first lady Jill Biden has a doctoral degree in education and is not a medical professional.
Another Republican lawmaker, Representative Greg Murphy from North Carolina, said, "While definitely agree that Biden's declining mental acuity was covered up, it is medically reckless to assume his prostate cancer was as well. I have treated prostate cancer patients for 30+ years. Let's get the politics out of medicine."
The Biden administration authorized billions for cancer funding as part of their "Cancer Moonshot" initiative which was originally launched during the Obama administration. This initiative included $150 million given to cancer research in Biden's last year in office. Per the National Institute of Health (NIH) the program those funds "supported 250 research projects and more than 70 programs and consortia."
The Trump administration's sweeping federal budget cuts includes removing $2.7 billion from NIH research funding. This has resulted in a freeze for cancer research, including clinical trials, and the firing of cancer-research scientists.
What People Are Saying
Former President Barack Obama on X: "Michelle and I are thinking of the entire Biden family. Nobody has done more to find breakthrough treatments for cancer in all its forms than Joe, and I am certain he will fight this challenge with his trademark resolve and grace. We pray for a fast and full recovery."
President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social: "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."
Nick Sortor on X: "WOW: Joe Biden said literally over TWO YEARS AGO that he had cancer. The Biden regime at the time called it a "gaffe" Have they been covering this up for YEARS?"
What Happens Next
Biden will receive medical treatment for his cancer. The former president's illness has been described as "aggressive."
Updated 5/19/25 at 3:37 p.m. ET: This article was updated with new information and comments.
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