Former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an “aggressive form” of prostate cancer, his office said in a statement on May 18.
“Last week, President Joe Biden was seen for a new finding of a prostate nodule after experiencing increasing urinary symptoms,” his office stated. “On [May 16], he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, characterized by a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5) with metastasis to the bone.
“While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive which allows for effective management.”
The former president’s family is “reviewing treatment options,” Biden’s office said.
The statement did not provide further details on Biden’s prognosis, although metastasis often occurs in late-stage cancers and can be particularly dangerous in the elderly.
At 82 years old, Biden is the oldest person to have occupied the Oval Office.
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On May 13, a spokesperson announced that a “small nodule” had been found on Biden’s prostate that necessitated further evaluation.
The diagnosis was made less than four months after Biden left office, on the heels of an election rife with concerns among voters about his age and ability to serve another four years.
Former Vice President Kamala Harris said in a statement on social media platform X: “Doug and I are saddened to learn of President Biden’s prostate cancer diagnosis. We are keeping him, [former First Lady] Dr. [Jill] Biden, and their entire family in our hearts and prayers during this time.
“Joe is a fighter—and I know he will face this challenge with the same strength, resilience, and optimism that have always defined his life and leadership. We are hopeful for a full and speedy recovery.”
Republicans—even some of the former president’s fiercest erstwhile opponents—were quick to offer condolences and support to Biden and his family.
President Donald Trump said in a statement on Truth Social: “[First Lady] Melania and I are saddened to hear about Joe Biden’s recent medical diagnosis. We extend our warmest and best wishes to Jill and the family, and we wish Joe a fast and successful recovery.”
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) said in a post on X: “I’m sorry to see this news. Cancer is truly awful. My Dad passed away in 2021 with cancer. Prays [sic] for Joe Biden and his family.”
Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) said he and his wife, Lara, “are sending heartfelt prayers for President Biden and his family as he fights cancer.”
“Please join us in praying for strength, comfort, and hope during this difficult time,” Marshall said.
Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) wrote, “My family is praying for former President Biden and his family as he faces an aggressive cancer diagnosis.”
—Joseph Lord
BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL ADVANCES
The House Budget Committee on May 18 approved a motion to advance Republicans’ reconciliation package, marking one more step toward final passage of the mammoth bill.
The unusual Sunday night vote, with a hearing planned for 10 p.m. ET that started 20 minutes late, ended in the passage of the legislation in a 17–16 vote, with four conservative critics of the package voting present.
The vote came after weekend negotiations following a conservative revolt against the package on May 16.
When the mammoth package first came before the House Budget Committee on Friday, four conservatives—Reps. Chip Roy (R-Texas), Josh Brecheen (R-Okla.), Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), and Andrew Clyde (R-Ga.)—voted against advancing the package.
Ranking Member Brendan Boyle (D-Pa.) was critical of the process under which the bill had been brought to the floor, asking about details of the agreement that had been reached that caused the uncommon late-night weekend vote to move ahead.
Chairman Jodey Arrington (R-Texas) didn’t provide specifics on what had changed, indicating that negotiations were ongoing and that the final product would continue to be refined.
The bill’s passage by the Budget Committee marks a major win for President Donald Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) after the bill’s earlier failure, but still warns of potential challenges on the final vote—where Johnson can absorb no more than three defections.
Conservative opponents had objected to several components of the bill, providing hints to what changes may have been agreed to.
First, they wanted changes to the bill’s handling of Medicaid work requirements.
“This bill is not serious about necessary reforms,” Norman said in a statement following his “no” vote on the bill in the May 16 committee hearing.
He called for more timely implementation of work requirements for able-bodied adults and combatting expansions of Medicaid that focus on able-bodied adults more than “the truly disabled, pregnant mothers, and children the program was originally intended for.”
Critics also opposed provisions that would extend some provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act, sunsetting these provisions a few years from now rather than immediately, as conservatives have called for.
In a May 17 post on X, Brecheen said that “keeping wind and solar credits in this bill will drain taxpayers, offshore American jobs, and prevent American energy dominance. President Trump has been clear: it’s time to end the Green New Scam. That means now, not later. Our ‘no’ vote in committee yesterday was a necessary stand to force this change.”
Norman joined in the call for repealing “‘Green New Scam’ tax credits.”
Additionally, conservatives expressed concerns about the potential impact the bill could have on the deficit long term.
—Joseph Lord
BOOKMARKS
Once the domain of VIP targets, “zero-click attacks”—which can let hackers control a device without users pressing a suspicious link or file—are beginning to become more common against everyday people. The Epoch Times’ Chris Summers reported on the concerning trend.
With the United States and China agreeing to a temporary trade truce, experts caution that Beijing will try to drag its feet over the next three months to gain the upper hand over Washington, The Epoch Times’ Andrew Moran and Terri Wu reported. One expert cited ‘The Art of War’ to warn that Beijing will seek to slow-walk negotiations to gain an advantage.
An FBI official said on May 18 that the bureau believes it has identified the suspect involved in a bombing near a fertility clinic in Palm Springs, California, a day earlier. The Epoch Times’ Jack Phillips reported on the suspect, who allegedly showed “nihilistic ideations.”
Nicusor Dan, the pro-EU mayor of Bucharest, Romania, won Romania’s presidential election on May 18, The Epoch Times’ Jacob Burg reported. The election was closely watched throughout the European continent, with nationalist and pro-EU candidates vying for the Romanian presidency.
As mining companies and governments zero in on Greenland’s mineral wealth, hopes for independence rise, but so do the risks. The Epoch Times’ Nathan Worcester traveled to the icy mega-island, currently in the sights of the Trump administration, to talk to locals.
