President Donald Trump said his predecessor, Joe Biden, was diagnosed with ‘stage nine’ cancer in a press conference.
The President likely mixed up the stage Biden’s cancer is at with the Gleason score, which is a range from two to ten, assigned to prostate cancer to indicate how abnormal the cancer cells are when compared to healthy tissue under a microscope.
Biden’s office reported his score was nine, suggesting a highly aggressive form of the disease.
Initially, after finding out, Trump said he was ‘saddened’ to hear the news, writing on Truth Social: ‘We extend our warmest and best wishes to Jill and the family, and we wish Joe a fast and successful recovery.’
But when asked if he would call Biden to send well wishes, Trump said: ‘I’m surprised the public wasn’t notified a long time ago…
‘Because to get to stage nine, that’s a long time.’
He then rambled about his recent physical exam, mentioning that a test for cancer is ‘standard’ for anyone getting a ‘good physical’.
Biden’s office said he was seen by doctors last week after experiencing urinary symptoms.
Tests revealed the cancer had spread to his bones, and he was formally diagnosed on Friday.
Biden, 82, has previously dealt with other health concerns.
He had a skin lesion removed from his chest, later revealed to be a common form of skin cancer, in early 2023.
In November 2021, the former president had a benign but potentially pre-cancerous polyp removed from his bowel.
