Former President Joe Biden made his first public appearance since announcing his prostate cancer diagnosis at his grandson Robert Hunter Biden II’s high school graduation on Friday. The event took place at the Salisbury School in Connecticut, and photos shared by former First Lady Jill Biden and daughter Ashley Biden depicted the family’s proud celebration. Jill’s post included the heartwarming caption, “Proud Nana and Pop! Congratulations Hunter — we are so proud of you.”
Biden’s diagnosis was made public last Sunday when his office revealed he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer after experiencing urinary issues. It was noted that he has a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5) and that the cancer had metastasized to the bone. Following this announcement, a second statement revealed that Biden had not previously been diagnosed with prostate cancer and had not undergone testing for over a decade.
The diagnosis reignited discussions among Democrats regarding Biden’s age and health, particularly amid the release of a new book by journalists Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson, which scrutinized the former president’s health and cognitive capabilities ahead of the 2024 presidential campaign. Despite the scrutiny, the Biden family vigorously defended him. His granddaughter, Naomi Biden, criticized the book in a post on X, calling it “a bunch of unoriginal, uninspired lies.” She argued that the authors relied on anonymous sources and claimed the narrative absolved them of responsibility for current issues, vowing that history would favor the truthful rendition of events. As Biden navigates his health challenges, his family remains supportive and protective against public criticism.
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