Former WH Doctor Raises Concerns Over Biden’s Cancer Prognosis
A former White House physician has issued a stark assessment of former President Joe Biden’s health, citing serious concerns about his metastatic prostate cancer. While the prognosis is alarming, medical experts caution against drawing firm conclusions without thorough clinical data.
Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-Texas), who served as White House physician under Presidents Obama and Trump, told the Washington Free Beacon that Biden’s outlook could be “12 to 18 months.” Jackson suggested the diagnosis may have occurred earlier than publicly disclosed, though he provided no direct evidence to support that claim.
Biden’s office previously confirmed in May 2025 that a “small nodule” had progressed to Stage IV prostate cancer, with metastasis to his bones. The diagnosis included a Gleason score of 9, an indicator of aggressive disease.
Understanding Metastatic Prostate Cancer
Experts emphasize that survival timelines for advanced prostate cancer are highly variable. Metastatic disease is considered incurable, yet modern treatments can extend life significantly. Options include androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT), newer systemic agents, chemotherapy, and emerging immunotherapies.
A urologic oncologist speaking to Reuters noted, “Publicly predicting that someone will die in 12 months is not medically sound. We have patients living three, five, even more years with the right treatment.”
While Jackson’s comments highlight potential severity, they represent his personal opinion rather than a consensus within the oncology community. Each patient’s response to therapy varies depending on age, overall health, tumor biology, and treatment access.
Questions of Transparency
Jackson speculated that Biden may have undergone evaluation or treatment earlier than publicly disclosed. However, no verified evidence supports this claim. The timing of the initial diagnosis and subsequent medical interventions remains unclear.
Transparency concerns also extend to cognitive health. Jeffrey Kuhlman, another former White House physician under Obama, argued that Biden’s doctor should have administered a cognitive test during his 2024 physical. The official medical summary, however, made no mention of neuropsychological screening.
Reports of Cognitive Strain
These concerns echo the reporting in Original Sin, a May 2025 book by Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson. Interviews with Democratic insiders claim Biden showed signs of forgetfulness, exhaustion, and incoherence in his final year in office. The book alleges aides debated, but ultimately avoided, a formal cognitive evaluation.
While such accounts are anecdotal, they have fueled debate about the completeness of public information regarding Biden’s health. His cognitive fitness, alongside the cancer diagnosis, has become a topic of intense political and public discussion.
Political Context
Biden withdrew from the 2024 presidential race on July 21, 2024, endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris. He left office in January 2025. Despite his health issues, he has remained active in public life, including appearances at Memorial Day events, where he used humor when asked about his condition.
In one instance, Biden quipped, “You can see that I’m mentally incompetent, and I can’t walk, and I can beat the hell out of both of them,” seemingly referencing Tapper and Thompson.
The Bottom Line on Prognosis
The former president’s confirmed diagnosis is Stage IV metastatic prostate cancer with bone involvement, which is serious and incurable. Yet treatment options can extend life for years. Jackson’s projection of 12 to 18 months should be viewed as his personal opinion, not a definitive medical assessment.
The key takeaway is that while the diagnosis is advanced, modern oncology offers therapies that can manage symptoms and prolong survival. Factors influencing outcomes include the patient’s age, overall health, response to treatment, and the aggressiveness of the cancer.
Broader Implications
This situation underscores broader concerns about transparency and public communication regarding leaders’ health. Americans have a vested interest in understanding the wellness of those in high office, especially regarding conditions that could impact public responsibilities.
At the same time, speculation about exact survival timelines can be misleading. Experts caution that drawing firm conclusions from incomplete information is not medically responsible. Public figures often face scrutiny that combines both legitimate health concerns and political narratives, further complicating public understanding.
Moving Forward
As Biden undergoes treatment, ongoing monitoring and medical updates will provide a clearer picture of his condition. For now, the public must balance concern for his health with caution against alarmist interpretations of partial information.
This situation also highlights the critical importance of reliable, transparent medical reporting, especially for figures in positions of significant public responsibility. While the cancer diagnosis is serious, it does not automatically translate to a short timeline without further clinical evidence.
Ultimately, Biden’s health narrative remains a mix of confirmed medical facts, expert caution, and political speculation. The public discourse will likely continue, but responsible coverage requires distinguishing verified information from personal opinion.
