Donald Trump initially expressed sympathy for Joe Biden following his prostate cancer diagnosis, which has spread to the bones. However, his tone changed quickly, questioning why the public wasn’t informed about the condition sooner. Biden’s cancer is reportedly hormone-sensitive, which allows for effective management, but experts say that once cancer spreads to the bones, it’s typically not considered curable, though many patients live for years with treatment.

While many people expressed support for Biden, some of his political opponents, including Donald Trump and his son Donald Trump Jr., raised suspicions about the timing of the announcement. Trump Jr. even suggested that Dr. Jill Biden, a respected educator, might have overlooked such a serious diagnosis, hinting at a potential cover-up. Trump joined the critics, claiming he was surprised the public didn’t learn about the cancer sooner, and questioned the reliability of Biden’s medical team, particularly the doctor who previously said Biden was cognitively fine.

Though Trump referred to Biden’s diagnosis as “very sad,” he also took the opportunity to highlight his own health status, boasting that he had aced a recent comprehensive physical, including cognitive tests. He remarked that if he had failed any of the tests, the media would have attacked him. Trump further suggested that presidential candidates should be required to undergo cognitive assessments, a comment aimed at ongoing discussions regarding age and fitness for office ahead of the 2024 election.