Donald Trump Jr. encountered substantial social media backlash following his contentious remarks about former President Joe Biden’s cancer diagnosis on Sunday, May 19, 2025. Initially expressing apparent support, Trump Jr.’s subsequent comments drew criticism for being perceived as insensitive.
Biden’s office announced the 82-year-old former president’s prostate cancer diagnosis on Sunday, May 16, 2025, after he experienced worsening urinary symptoms. The diagnosis followed an evaluation of a prostate nodule discovered during a routine checkup earlier that week. The statement revealed Biden has a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5) with bone metastasis, indicating an aggressive cancer that has spread beyond its origin.
Following this announcement, Trump Jr. initially shared a message of well wishes, agreeing with the sentiment. However, within three hours, his tone shifted in a follow-up post. He questioned how Jill Biden overlooked the diagnosis, referring to her as “Dr. Jill Biden” in connection to her doctoral degree in education. Trump Jr. implied the possibility of a “coverup.”
Trump Jr. wrote, “What I want to know is how did Dr. Jill Biden miss stage five metastatic cancer or is this yet another coverup???” He pinned this post to the top of his social media feed, including claims that Biden was likely diagnosed while still president and that the information was withheld from the public.
On Monday, May 19, Trump Jr. continued with his conspiracy theories in a longer post, criticizing Biden’s cognitive abilities. He referenced past comments made by Biden about cancer and suggested those around the former president were complicit in hiding his health condition, questioning who governed during Biden’s presidency.
Trump Jr.’s statements contradict President Donald Trump’s response, who extended traditional well wishes to Biden. On Truth Social, President Trump expressed sadness over Biden’s diagnosis, offering hopes for a swift recovery, demonstrating the customary political practice of setting aside differences in health matters.
Other conservative figures also conveyed supportive messages to Biden. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene from Georgia shared her sympathy and stated she would pray for Biden and his family during this challenging time.
Medical experts have elaborated on the seriousness of Biden’s condition. A Gleason score assesses prostate cancer aggressiveness on a scale from 6 to 10, with higher scores reflecting more severe forms. Biden’s score of 9 places his cancer in the highest risk category, though it appears to be hormone-sensitive, which generally offers more treatment options.
The National Cancer Institute states that prostate cancer ranks among the most common cancers in men, with an estimated 313,780 new cases anticipated in 2025, accounting for approximately 15.4% of all new cancer diagnoses. While diagnosis rates have risen by about 1.8% annually from 2013 to 2022, mortality rates have fallen by an average of 0.6% each year from 2014 to 2023.
Biden addressed his diagnosis publicly on Monday, May 19, through a social media post acknowledging cancer’s widespread impact. He stated, “Cancer touches us all. Like so many of you, Jill and I have learned that we are strongest in the broken places.”
Biden has a history of cancer advocacy, having led the Cancer Moonshot initiative during his vice presidency after his son Beau’s death from brain cancer in 2015. He later revitalized the project during his presidency, aiming to reduce cancer mortality rates in the U.S substantially.
Reactions to Trump Jr.’s comments have been predominantly negative on social media, with many users labeling his remarks as insensitive, given the serious nature of the diagnosis. Critics highlighted the timing of his comments, shortly after Biden’s diagnosis was announced, contrasting sharply with the more respectful tone taken by other political figures, including his father.
Biden’s cancer diagnosis emerges amid ongoing discussions about his health during his presidency, which influenced his decision not to seek reelection in 2024. His office stated that Biden and his family are currently evaluating treatment options with his medical team.
