White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed reporters Monday after former President Joe Biden announced he had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer.
During the briefing, Leavitt said President Donald Trump and Biden have not spoken since the diagnosis was made public, but she indicated Trump would be open to reaching out. “Not to my knowledge, they haven’t spoken, but I’m sure the president would be willing to do so,” she said, noting that Trump’s public statement reflected his initial reaction after learning of Biden’s condition.
When asked whether Trump had any concerns about the quality of medical care provided to U.S. presidents, Leavitt expressed strong confidence in the current system. She praised the White House physician and the broader medical team, particularly those at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Leavitt also pointed out that Trump recently completed a physical examination with “perfect results,” adding that he remains in very good health.
Biden shared his diagnosis in a statement released Sunday, explaining that he is currently reviewing treatment options with his physicians. According to the statement, doctors discovered a prostate nodule after he experienced worsening urinary symptoms. Further testing confirmed prostate cancer with a Gleason score of 9, which indicates a highly aggressive disease that has already spread to the bone. However, the cancer is described as hormone-sensitive, meaning it may still respond well to certain treatments.
The diagnosis has sparked discussion within the medical community. Dr. Howie Forman, a Yale University professor specializing in radiology and public health, questioned how such an advanced cancer could have gone undetected, noting that cases with this level of severity are usually associated with elevated PSA levels over time.
Others highlighted that current medical guidelines often recommend discontinuing routine PSA screening after age 70, which could help explain a later-stage diagnosis.
Despite political differences, Trump issued a supportive message wishing Biden a fast and successful recovery.
