Former US President Joe Biden has made his first public appearance since disclosing his diagnosis of stage 4 prostate cancer, in a moment that has stirred public sympathy, medical scrutiny, and political controversy. At 82, Biden appeared in high spirits on May 23 at Bradley International Airport in Connecticut, attending his grandson’s graduation. Accompanied by former First Lady Jill Biden, the former president told reporters he was “feeling great” despite the life-threatening diagnosis.

His comments come just days after his office confirmed on May 18 that Biden is battling hormone-sensitive prostate cancer that has metastasized to his bones-a condition known for its aggressiveness and difficulty to treat in advanced stages.

While Biden projected optimism, medical experts and political analysts alike have begun dissecting the circumstances surrounding his illness. Urologists and oncologists have raised eyebrows over the apparent lack of earlier detection. According to the statement from his office, Biden had not undergone a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test since 2014. This means a gap of over a decade without screening-something particularly alarming given Biden’s age and the fact that stage 4 prostate cancer with a Gleason score of 9 is usually detected through routine monitoring.

“A Gleason score of 9 indicates a highly aggressive cancer,” said Dr. Andrew Kaplan, a urologic oncologist unaffiliated with Biden’s medical team. “It’s rare and concerning to see such an advanced case emerge suddenly without some prior signs or red flags, especially in someone who’s been in the public eye and should have access to the best preventive care available.”

Biden’s diagnosis has not only raised medical concerns but has also reignited political tensions. Republican lawmakers have pounced on the revelation, alleging a possible cover-up during Biden’s time in office.

Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) announced plans to call for testimony from as many as two dozen individuals who had direct contact with Biden. “If this condition existed earlier and was hidden from the public or Congress, we’re looking at a serious breach of trust,” Johnson told Axios. “The American people deserve transparency, especially when it concerns the health of a sitting president.”

Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) took it a step further, sending a formal letter to US Attorney General Pam Bondi requesting a federal investigation into whether Biden’s health was deliberately concealed while he was in office. Cornyn wrote, “Concealing a debilitating medical condition from the electorate and Congress undermines democratic accountability.”

The backlash has also included explosive accusations from President Donald Trump, who has claimed that Biden’s aides took advantage of his condition to implement unauthorized policies. “This is treason at the highest level,” Trump declared at a rally in Arizona. “We have to find out who was really running the country during Biden’s last months in office.”

Vice President JD Vance, who served under Trump during his return to the presidency, weighed in with more measured criticism. “I don’t think Joe Biden was able to do a good job for the American people,” Vance said. “And if his health played a role in that, we need to reevaluate how we vet and support leaders in high office.”

Adding another layer to the storm is the recent release of Original Sin, a controversial book that alleges Biden’s staff systematically concealed signs of cognitive decline during his presidency. The book claims that close aides used selective scheduling, controlled media access, and delegated executive duties to shield the public from Biden’s deteriorating health.

The revelations have reinvigorated critics who had long questioned Biden’s mental fitness, especially after a string of verbal gaffes and public missteps throughout his presidency. Those concerns were intensified after his underwhelming performance during the first 2024 presidential debate, which ultimately led him to withdraw from the race.

The book’s claims and the new medical disclosure have cast a long shadow over Biden’s legacy, reigniting the debate about the ethics of age and health transparency for America’s top officeholders.

Despite mounting criticism, Biden has denied allegations of mental decline. “There’s nothing to sustain that,” he told reporters in Connecticut. His supporters argue that the former president has shown remarkable resilience, noting that age-related scrutiny is often wielded as a political weapon rather than a genuine concern.

Following the Democratic Party’s defeat in the 2024 US presidential election, Biden has also expressed regret over stepping aside. “I could have won,” he reportedly told aides. “I believe the country still had faith in me.”

His comments have drawn mixed reactions. Some Democrats agree that Biden’s premature withdrawal created a leadership vacuum within the party, while others argue that his health should have been more transparently disclosed earlier in the campaign cycle.

The Biden diagnosis has ignited a larger conversation about health transparency in high office. Historically, US presidents have walked a fine line between personal privacy and public accountability. Franklin D. Roosevelt concealed the extent of his paralysis; John F. Kennedy’s Addison’s disease was hidden from the public. Now, Biden’s diagnosis threatens to become the next chapter in that tradition of opaque presidential health records.

Many political commentators are calling for institutional reforms, including mandatory annual health disclosures for sitting presidents and candidates over a certain age. “We need standardized reporting that goes beyond partisan politics,” said political analyst Susan Whitmore. “The American people have a right to know if their leaders are mentally and physically capable of doing the job.”

As Biden continues treatment for his cancer, the public is left to assess the legacy of the 46th president. His administration, once heralded for returning “normalcy” to Washington after the turbulence of the Trump era, now faces the uncomfortable possibility that key decisions may have been shaped or delayed by an undisclosed medical condition.

While Biden’s appearance this week may provide reassurance to supporters, it has not quieted the questions. Rather, it marks the beginning of what is likely to be a prolonged examination of his presidency, his health, and the responsibilities of those who served around him.

In the coming weeks, investigators, lawmakers, and the media will likely continue to peel back the layers surrounding the diagnosis-how it came to light, what it means for Biden’s legacy, and what it reveals about how America treats the issue of age and illness at the pinnacle of power.

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Source: Weekly Blitz :: Writings