Donald Trump has said he is “surprised” the public wasn’t “notified a long time ago” after Joe Biden was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer.
Mr Trump also suggested that at least one of the doctors treating Mr Biden for the disease had previously claimed the former US president was “cognitively fine” – something he claims later turned out to be “not so”.
Mr Biden, 82, was diagnosed with cancer on Friday, with tests revealing the disease had spread to his bones.
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.
Asked by a reporter at the White House this evening if he had any comment about the diagnosis, Mr Trump said: “I think it’s very sad, actually.
“I’m surprised the public wasn’t notified a long time ago because to get to stage nine, that’s a long time.”
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Mr Trump said that he had just had a “very complete” physical test which included “cognitive tests” and added: “I’m proud to announce I aced it.”
Mr Biden had been running against Mr Trump in the 2024 presidential election before stepping down after a disastrous debate performance fuelled concerns around his age and fitness to serve.
Much of the concern was over his cognitive abilities following a series of gaffes – including referring to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as “President Putin” during a NATO summit.
In his comments at the White House, Mr Trump suggested that a doctor that had previously tested Mr Biden’s cognitive abilities was also involved in diagnosing his cancer.
The US president said: “I think that, if you take a look it’s the same doctor that said that Joe was cognitively fine… there was nothing wrong with him.
“Well… if it’s the same doctor who said there was nothing wrong there… that’s been proven to be a sad situation.”
Mr Trump added that “in other words” there are “things going on that the public wasn’t informed of” and said it was “very dangerous”.
Referencing Mr Biden’s diagnosis, the US president continued: “The other thing you have to say is why did it take so long? I mean… this takes a long time, can take years to get to this level of danger.”
He added: “I think people should try and find out what happened… Maybe it was the same doctor and somebody is not telling the facts.. That’s a big problem.”
It is not clear if the US president was referring to the length of time it took for Mr Biden to get a diagnosis or the amount of time it took for it to be made public.
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Mr Trump was speaking to reporters following a two-hour call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday as he tries to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine.
The US president has said in the Oval Office there is a “good chance” of peace between Russia and Ukraine – but added that America has a red line in upcoming talks.
Mr Trump would not say what that red line is.
There are “big egos involved”, he said before adding: “This was a European situation, it should have remained a European situation.”
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King send best wishes
Earlier it emerged King Charles had privately written to Mr Biden following his cancer diagnosis.
The monarch, who is undergoing his own treatment for an undisclosed cancer, hosted the former US president for tea and talks at Windsor in July 2023.
The King’s private message comes after British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he was “very sorry to hear” the news about Mr Biden’s cancer diagnosis.
“All the very best to Joe, his wife Jill and their family, and wishing the President swift and successful treatment,” he added.
Former US president Barack Obama said: “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.”
The former US president posted an image of himself and his wife Jill on X on Monday and wrote: “Cancer touches us all. Like so many of you, Jill and I have learned that we are strongest in the broken places. Thank you for lifting us up with love and support.”
