In a stunning and deeply emotional announcement, the office of former U.S. President Joe Biden confirmed late Sunday evening that he has been diagnosed with what doctors are calling an “aggressive form of cancer,” igniting waves of concern, support, and reflection across the political spectrum.
The diagnosis was revealed in an official statement posted to Biden’s personal X account just after 7:00 p.m. ET. “President Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive, fast-moving form of cancer,” the post read. “He remains in good spirits, is surrounded by family, and has begun immediate treatment under the care of top oncology specialists.”
The cancer type has not been publicly disclosed yet, but two senior aides speaking to The New York Times under condition of anonymity confirmed that Biden had been experiencing health complications over the last several weeks—prompting a wave of medical consultations and advanced imaging.
Sources told CNN that the diagnosis came following a PET scan conducted at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, and the cancer was described by one attending physician as “high-grade, fast-proliferating, and requiring immediate chemotherapy.”
The news broke just hours after Biden was seen attending his granddaughter’s graduation in Washington D.C., where onlookers noted he appeared thinner and walked with a slightly slower gait. A TikTok video of the event, posted by @NewsDailyByte, has already garnered over 3.4 million views, with many now rewatching it in light of the diagnosis.
Social media immediately lit up with an outpouring of emotion. Vice President Kamala Harris posted, “Joe Biden is one of the strongest, most resilient public servants I have ever known. Doug and I are praying for his healing every minute.” Her full message was shared on X and re-shared by prominent figures from both parties.
Former President Barack Obama broke his silence late Sunday, posting a heartfelt tribute that read, “Joe has fought for this country with courage his entire life. He will now fight this illness with the same strength.” The message, posted to his verified account, was shared over 500,000 times within hours.
Even some of Biden’s political rivals expressed support. Senator Mitt Romney called the news “devastating” and praised Biden for his decades of public service. “This diagnosis transcends politics,” he said in a statement to Axios. “He deserves every prayer and every ounce of strength this nation can send.”
But perhaps the most emotional reactions came from Biden’s hometown of Scranton, Pennsylvania. Local news outlet WNEP interviewed neighbors and childhood friends who described the former president as “a fighter from the beginning.” Vigils were quickly organized in downtown Scranton, where supporters placed candles and handwritten notes on the steps of Biden’s childhood home.
Biden, 82, has survived several previous health scares, including a life-threatening brain aneurysm in 1988. Many are now revisiting his 2015 grief speech following the death of his son, Beau Biden, from brain cancer—a clip of which was reshared widely on Instagram last night. “We all know that fear,” Biden had said. “But we also know that courage is not the absence of fear—it’s living through it anyway.”
According to MSNBC, Biden has begun outpatient treatment at Johns Hopkins, where a specially assembled oncology team is administering an “aggressive but targeted” regimen designed to limit progression.
Medical experts told WebMD that “aggressive” cancer typically refers to rapid cell growth, and survival often hinges on early detection and the speed at which treatment begins. “Given the president’s age and history, this will be a hard fight,” said Dr. Dana Kuretsky, an oncologist at NYU Langone.
At the White House, President Kamala Harris—who assumed office following Biden’s resignation in January—has ordered flags lowered to half-staff across federal buildings “in honor of his lifelong service and as a gesture of support during this battle.” Her full address, broadcast live by C-SPAN, lasted just under three minutes and included the phrase: “Joe Biden is the heart of this nation.”
In Wilmington, Delaware, the Biden family compound has become the center of growing attention. Helicopter footage aired by CBS News showed a steady stream of vehicles arriving through the gates as family and close friends gathered inside.
Dr. Jill Biden, his wife of nearly 50 years, has not released a formal statement but was seen walking hand-in-hand with him outside Hopkins just hours after the announcement. A touching image captured by Getty Images shows the two sharing a quiet moment outside the cancer center’s main entrance.
The Democratic Party has suspended all official campaigning activities for the week, with major figures like Gavin Newsom and Pete Buttigieg pausing travel and releasing messages of solidarity. “Whatever your politics, you know that Joe Biden is a man who’s always put country first,” Newsom said in a short post Sunday night.
While the prognosis remains unclear, Biden’s inner circle is said to be optimistic. “He’s calm, he’s focused, and he’s ready to fight,” one longtime aide told Politico. “His first question after the diagnosis was, ‘How do we beat this?’”
America is watching closely. And millions are hoping that Joe Biden—who’s endured decades of tragedy, political battles, and public service—has one more fight left in him.
