Politics in the 2020s is basically a blood sport, but things reached a whole new level of "did he really just say that?" back in May 2025. It all started when the news broke that former President Joe Biden had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer. For a brief second, there was this weird, flickering moment of national unity. Even Donald Trump posted something genuinely kind on Truth Social.
Then came Donald Trump Jr.
He didn't exactly stick to the "thoughts and prayers" script. Instead, he jumped on X (formerly Twitter) and essentially accused the Biden family of a massive medical cover-up. It sparked a firestorm that’s still brought up today whenever anyone talks about donald trump jr biden cancer narratives.
The Tweet That Set the Internet on Fire
The drama kicked off on May 18, 2025. Just hours after Biden’s office announced the diagnosis, Don Jr. shared a screenshot from Dr. Steven Quay, a frequent critic of the previous administration. The post claimed it was "malpractice" for a patient with Biden's level of care to be first diagnosed at such an advanced stage.
Don Jr. added his own spice to the mix, writing: "What I want to know is how did Dr. Jill Biden miss stage five metastatic cancer or is this yet another coverup???"
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There’s a lot to unpack in that one sentence. First off, there is no such thing as "Stage 5" cancer. Cancer staging generally only goes up to Stage 4. Second, he took a swipe at Jill Biden’s "Dr." title—which is in education, not medicine—suggesting she somehow should have been performing oncological screenings at the breakfast table. It was classic Don Jr.: aggressive, slightly factually skewed, and designed to go viral.
What Was the Actual Diagnosis?
Let’s get the medical facts straight because the "Stage 5" comment confused a lot of people. Biden was diagnosed with Stage 4 prostate cancer.
- The Gleason Score: His cancer had a Gleason score of 9. For those who aren't urologists, that's a grading system that measures how "angry" the cells look. A 9 is very high and indicates a fast-growing, aggressive type of cancer.
- Metastasis: The cancer had already spread (metastasized) to his bones. This is what makes it Stage 4.
- The Timeline: Biden’s team stated a nodule was found during a routine physical on May 13, 2025. The official diagnosis came on May 16.
The controversy regarding donald trump jr biden cancer comments really centered on one question: How does a man with the best doctors in the world get to Stage 4 before anyone notices?
The "Cover-up" Theory vs. Medical Reality
Don Jr.’s "cover-up" claim wasn't just a random thought. He was tapping into a theory that the Biden administration had been hiding the former president's decline for years. He even replied "Without question" to a user suggesting the diagnosis was an excuse to explain why Biden had been "running the country as a vegetable."
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But medical experts, including Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel, pointed out a much simpler, albeit frustrating, explanation.
Prostate cancer is often a slow burner. However, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force actually recommends against routine PSA screenings for men over 70. Why? Because many prostate cancers grow so slowly that men die with them, not from them, and the treatments can be pretty brutal.
Biden was 82 at the time of diagnosis. His team admitted his last PSA test was back in 2014. Essentially, they followed the standard "let it be" guidelines for an older man, and this time, the "slow-growing" rule didn't apply. It was a high-grade, aggressive version that beat the odds.
A Fast-Moving Timeline of Events
To see how quickly the vibe changed, you just have to look at the 48 hours following the announcement.
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- May 18 (Morning): Biden’s office announces the diagnosis.
- May 18 (Midday): Donald Trump Sr. posts a surprisingly empathetic message, wishing Joe a "fast and successful recovery."
- May 18 (Afternoon): Don Jr. initially reposts a well-wish, saying "Agreed 100%."
- May 18 (Evening): The pivot. Don Jr. shifts to the "Stage 5 cover-up" narrative.
- May 19: Don Jr. doubles down, asking "Who was running the country?" and calling for "accountability."
This whiplash is what makes the donald trump jr biden cancer topic so polarized. One minute it was a human moment; the next, it was a political weapon.
Where is Joe Biden Now?
Despite the dire "Stage 4" label, medical science is pretty wild these days. By October 2025, Biden was undergoing intensive radiation and hormone therapy. He even had a "ringing the bell" ceremony in December 2025 at Penn Medicine in Philadelphia to mark the end of his radiation cycle.
He’s also dealt with some non-melanoma skin cancers (basal cell carcinoma), including a Mohs surgery on his forehead in September 2025. Honestly, the guy has been through the ringer, but he’s still active, often seen taking Amtrak between D.C. and Delaware.
Actionable Insights: What This Means for You
The political noise around donald trump jr biden cancer claims can drown out the actual health lessons here. If you or a loved one are navigating the confusing world of prostate health, here is the takeaway:
- Age Matters, but so does the Individual: The "stop testing at 70" rule is a guideline, not a law. If there’s a family history or symptoms, keep testing.
- Stage 4 isn't a Death Sentence: As of early 2026, treatments like hormone deprivation and targeted radiation are allowing men to live for years with metastatic disease.
- Verify the Source: When high-profile figures use medical terms like "Stage 5," check with a medical site. Misinformation spreads faster than the actual disease.
- Watch for Symptoms: Biden reportedly sought help after "increasing urinary symptoms." Don't ignore changes in bathroom habits just because of your age.
The saga of donald trump jr biden cancer is a perfect case study in how modern news works. It’s part medical update, part conspiracy theory, and entirely chaotic. Whether it was a "cover-up" or just a gap in geriatric screening, the result is a former president fighting a very real, very public battle with a disease that affects millions.
Stay informed by checking the latest health bulletins from the American Cancer Society or the Mayo Clinic rather than relying on X threads. Regular check-ups remain the best defense, regardless of what the headlines say.