Retired NFL quarterback Tom Brady publicly praised billionaire doctor Patrick Soon-Shiong for his work on cancer treatment, commenting on a social media post that teased an upcoming interview about a purported medical breakthrough that federal authorities allegedly dismissed.
The seven-time Super Bowl winner, 48, responded on Nov. 17, 2025, to a post from NewsNation promoting a conversation between host Chris Cuomo and Soon-Shiong. The interview, which airs on Tuesday night, Nov. 25, was advertised as revealing Soon-Shiong’s claim that he has discovered a way to “kill cancer” that the federal government deemed insignificant.
“I’ll be watching. This is incredible work that needs more attention,” Brady wrote on X. “We need more minds like this attacking our world’s biggest problems. Thank you for what you’re doing.”
The post drew attention not only for Brady’s enthusiastic endorsement but also for the connection between the retired quarterback and Soon-Shiong, who has become a prominent advocate for President Donald Trump. Soon-Shiong owns the Los Angeles Times, which he purchased in 2018, and has used his position to influence the newspaper’s editorial direction in ways that reflect his political leanings.
In the 30-second preview of the NewsNation interview, Cuomo asks Soon-Shiong about the federal government’s awareness of his work. The billionaire physician responded by describing what he considers a crucial aspect of cancer research that remains unexplored.
Soon-Shiong has a long history of cancer treatment innovation. In 1995, he invented Abraxane, an FDA-approved chemotherapy drug used to treat advanced pancreatic and breast cancers, as well as non-small cell lung cancer. The drug represented a significant development in oncology, discussed in the NewsNation interview.
The Los Angeles Times owner has made his political affiliations increasingly clear through his management of the Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper. Last year, Soon-Shiong vetoed a planned endorsement of former vice president Kamala Harris from the paper’s editorial board, a decision that sparked controversy among staff and subscribers. His efforts to shift the publication’s perspective have included adding conservative commentator Scott Jennings to the editorial board.
Brady’s relationship with Trump and his circle has been documented over the years. The two men shared a suite during a FIFA Club World Cup match in July, continuing a friendship that dates back years. In 2015, while still playing professional football, Brady called Trump a good friend and kept a “Make America Great Again” hat in his locker, which he described as a “nice keepsake.”
The quarterback’s political associations have generated media attention throughout his career, though he later sought to downplay the extent of his connection to Trump. In a 2022 interview with Variety, Brady said his relationship with the president had been “mischaracterized a lot” by the media and noted he hadn’t spoken with Trump in several years at that time.
Soon-Shiong’s involvement in Trump’s orbit extends beyond media ownership. He sought to serve as Trump’s health care czar during the president’s first term, demonstrating his interest in influencing federal health policy. His multifaceted career spans medicine, research, and investment, accumulating significant wealth that enabled his acquisition of the Times.
The billionaire’s editorial interventions at the newspaper have extended beyond political endorsements. He has explored adding right-wing commentator Candace Owens to his roster for a separate media venture distinct from the Times, further signaling his intention to cultivate conservative-leaning content and audiences.
Brady’s public endorsement of Soon-Shiong’s cancer research efforts highlights the intersection of celebrity influence, medical innovation, and political relationships. The retired quarterback’s massive social media following and cultural prominence give significant visibility to causes and individuals he chooses to support, making his praise for Soon-Shiong’s work noteworthy beyond the immediate medical claims.
The nature of Soon-Shiong’s purported cancer breakthrough and the federal government’s assessment of its significance remained unclear from the promotional material. Medical breakthroughs typically undergo rigorous peer review and clinical trials before gaining acceptance in the scientific community, processes that help distinguish promising research from premature claims.
As the interview’s air date approached, the combination of Brady’s celebrity endorsement, Soon-Shiong’s controversial political profile, and claims about overlooked cancer treatments created significant public interest in the NewsNation broadcast and whatever revelations it might contain about the physician’s research.
