Joe Biden strikes optimistic tone about cancer diagnosis: ‘We’re going to be able to beat this’

By Arlette Saenz and David Wright, CNN

New Castle, Delaware (CNN) — Former President Joe Biden struck an optimistic tone when discussing his cancer diagnosis for the first time Friday, saying, “We’re going to be able to beat this.”

Biden, 82, revealed he has started treatment in the form of a pill to treat an aggressive form of prostate cancer that has spread to his bones.

“Well, the prognosis is good you know, we’re working on everything, it’s moving along. I feel good,” Biden said in an exchange with CNN and other reporters after speaking at a Memorial Day service in New Castle, Delaware. “All the folks are optimistic.”

Biden said he is taking a pill for the next six weeks before beginning another pill regimen. He noted he is being treated by a leading surgeon who was diagnosed with the same type of cancer three decades ago. CNN has asked Biden’s office for more details about the type of pill he is taking for treatment.

“The expectation is we’re going to be able to beat this,” he said. “It’s not in any organ, it’s in – my bones are strong, it hadn’t penetrated. So, I’m feeling good.”

Biden’s comments mark the first time he’s publicly spoken about the cancer diagnosis he received two weeks ago. It also comes as he and his aides have faced renewed scrutiny as a new book detailed signs of mental and physical decline during his final year in office.

“You can see that. I’m mentally incompetent and I can’t walk,” Biden joked.

When asked about Democrats questioning whether he should have run for reelection in the first place, Biden said, “Why didn’t they run against me then? Because I would have beaten them.”

“I don’t have any regrets,” he added. “There’s a lot going on. And I think we’re in a really difficult moment, not only in American history, in world history. I think we’re at one of those inflection points in history where the decisions we make in the next little bit are going to determine what things look like for the next 20 years.”

“I’ve been talking like that for a long time, and I’m very proud. I’d put my record as president against any president at all,” he added.

The comments came after Biden delivered remarks at a Memorial Day service in New Castle, Delaware, where he offered a spirited defense of democracy and the country’s founding ideals, saying that “every generation has to fight to maintain that democracy.”

The event coincided with the ten-year anniversary of his son Beau Biden, a former Delaware attorney general and member of the Delaware National Guard, passing away from glioblastoma.

“I know for many of you, Memorial Day, like for us, is deeply personal. For the Bidens, this day is the 10th anniversary of the loss of my son Beau, who spent a year in Iraq. And to be honest, it’s a hard day,” Biden said. “Being with all of you, quite frankly, makes things a little bit easier. It really does. So, thank you for allowing me to grieve with you.”

Biden was joined at the event by Beau’s son Hunter, and the Biden family attended a private mass together on Friday morning to mark Beau’s passing.

The former president offered a tribute to service members and warned against political interference with the military.

“My friends, Memorial Day is about something profound – our politics have become so divided and so biter, all of the years I’ve been doing this, I never thought we’d get to this point. But we are.” he said. “Our troops don’t wear a uniform that says I’m a Democrat, or I’m a Republican – it says, I’m an American.”

Biden then urged the audience to “renew our pledge to honor our heroes” and defend the country’s democratic ideals.

“Folks, you know, for generation after generation, that profound idea has been defended by ordinary citizens who stepped up and answered the call,” Biden said. “Because of them, American democracy has endured for nearly 250 years. Every generation – every generation – every generation – has to fight to maintain that democracy. Every time, every generation. Because of them, our government is still of the people, by the people, and for the people. They – they are we. And we are still free. And now, we must make sure that sacrifice has never been in vain.”

He continued, “Let me close with this: the women and men we honor today, that are no longer with us. But you can still hear their echoes.”

“They’re not asking us to risk our lives, they’re asking us to stay true to what America stands for. They’re not asking us to do their jobs – they’re asking us to do our jobs, to protect our nation, in our time, now. To defend democracy. Be a part of something bigger than ourselves. So today, let’s renew our pledge to honor our heroes,” the former president said.

Delaware Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester, Rep. Sarah McBride, Lt. Gov. Kyle Evans Gay, and former Sen. Tom Carper also spoke at the event Friday.

While this marked the first time Biden spoke publicly since the cancer diagnosis, he was spotted by travelers at an airport in Connecticut last Friday when he traveled to his grandson’s high school graduation.

Biden thanked those offering well wishes after his cancer diagnosis became public in a post on X last week.

“Cancer touches us all. Like so many of you, Jill and I have learned that we are strongest in the broken places,” Biden wrote. “Thank you for lifting us up with love and support.”

Asked for his response to those who have counted him out, Biden said, “Well, I say lots of luck in your senior year.”

The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2025 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.