Donald Trump Jr. faced widespread criticism on social media following his controversial comments about former President Joe Biden’s cancer diagnosis on Sunday, May 18, 2025. Although Trump Jr. initially appeared supportive, his later remarks were seen as insensitive by many.
On May 18, 2025, Biden’s office disclosed that the 82-year-old former president had been diagnosed with prostate cancer. The announcement came after worsening urinary symptoms led to the discovery of a prostate nodule during a routine checkup earlier that week. The statement outlined that Biden’s condition was classified with a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5) and had metastasized to his bones, highlighting the aggressive nature of the cancer.
After the announcement, Trump Jr. initially shared a message expressing well wishes, seeming to agree with similar sentiments. However, just three hours later, his tone shifted in a subsequent post. He questioned how Jill Biden could have overlooked the diagnosis, referring to her as “Dr. Jill Biden” because of her doctorate in education. Trump Jr. even suggested there might have been a “cover-up.”
In his post, Trump Jr. wrote, “How could Dr. Jill Biden have missed stage five metastatic cancer, or is this yet another cover-up?” He pinned the post to his profile, adding claims that Biden may have received his diagnosis while still serving as president and that this information was deliberately concealed from the public.
The post reached 5.4 million users and quickly garnered more than 37,000 likes.
Trump Jr.’s reference to “stage five metastatic cancer” was factually incorrect, as the term does not exist in the TNM cancer staging system. His mischaracterization of Biden’s prostate cancer could contribute to public confusion. In response, Biden’s personal office clarified that his cancer was identified with a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5), which denotes a highly aggressive form of cancer.
Medical experts and Biden’s team confirmed the inaccuracy of Trump Jr.’s “stage five” claim, noting that such a classification does not exist in the accepted medical framework.
On Monday, May 19, Trump Jr. escalated his rhetoric with another post, doubling down on conspiracy theories and criticizing Biden’s cognitive health. He referenced Biden’s previous remarks about cancer and accused those around him of hiding his medical condition, questioning who had been in charge during Biden’s presidency.
Trump Jr.’s comments contrasted with the response of his father, former President Donald Trump, who offered a message of sympathy. On Truth Social, Donald Trump expressed sadness over Biden’s diagnosis, wishing for a speedy recovery and setting aside political differences in recognition of the gravity of the situation.
Other conservative leaders also offered messages of support for Biden. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia expressed her condolences and stated she would keep the Biden family in her prayers during this challenging time.
Experts have further elaborated on Biden’s diagnosis, clarifying the seriousness of his condition. A Gleason score, which assesses prostate cancer aggressiveness on a scale from 6 to 10, indicates greater severity with higher scores. Biden’s score of 9 indicates a high-risk and aggressive form of the disease, though its hormone sensitivity allows for more treatment options.
According to the National Cancer Institute, prostate cancer is among the most prevalent cancers in men, with an estimated 313,780 new cases expected in 2025, accounting for about 15.4% of all new cancer diagnoses. While the diagnosis rate for prostate cancer has risen by 1.8% annually between 2013 and 2022, mortality rates have declined by 0.6% on average each year from 2014 to 2023.
On Monday, May 19, Biden addressed his diagnosis publicly through a social media post, acknowledging the widespread impact of cancer. “Cancer affects us all,” he wrote. “Like many of you, Jill and I have found strength in the most difficult times.”
Biden’s spokesperson confirmed his most recent prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test had been conducted in 2014 and that he had not been diagnosed with prostate cancer before May 16, 2025.
Biden has long been an advocate for cancer research, leading the Cancer Moonshot initiative during his vice presidency after his son Beau’s death from brain cancer in 2015. He later revived the initiative during his presidency to pursue significant reductions in U.S. cancer mortality rates.
Trump Jr.’s remarks have been met with strong criticism across social media, with many describing his statements as inappropriate given the severity of Biden’s condition. Critics highlighted the stark difference in tone between Trump Jr.’s comments and the more respectful responses from other political figures, including his father.
Biden’s cancer diagnosis emerges amid ongoing dialogue about his health during his presidency, which contributed to his decision not to seek reelection in 2024. His team stated that Biden and his family are now consulting with his medical providers to determine the best course of treatment.
