Joe Biden has made a deeply personal and surprising admission about his late son Beau Biden — saying that it should have been Beau, not him, who became President of the United States in 2020.
The former president’s remarks came during a gala hosted by the Nebraska Democratic Party, where he reflected on his family’s losses, his ongoing health battles, and his belief that his eldest son was destined for the White House.
Beau Biden, the former Attorney General of Delaware, died in 2015 at the age of 46 after a battle with brain cancer. Before his death, Beau had served in the U.S. Army National Guard and completed a year-long deployment to Iraq between 2008 and 2009. Known for his quiet integrity and commitment to public service, Beau was widely considered a rising star in Democratic politics and a potential future presidential candidate.
Speaking with visible emotion, Biden told the crowd, “Folks, I know what cancer research means. Cancer hits every family. It’s hit my family hard. When the love of my life, my oldest son, the attorney general of the state of Delaware — who should’ve been the president, not me — volunteered to go to Iraq for a year, didn’t have to, he came back with stage four glioblastoma because he lived in a burn pit just like those guys did on 9/11, and he died.”
The audience responded with a long round of applause as Biden paused to collect himself. The moment underscored not just the pain of a grieving father, but also the depth of feeling that continues to define Biden’s public image.
Beau’s death in May 2015 was a devastating moment for the Biden family. His diagnosis — glioblastoma multiforme — is the most aggressive form of primary brain cancer. He had been serving his second term as Delaware’s attorney general and was expected to seek higher office in the years ahead.
Joe Biden, who has often spoken of his son as “the best of me with the bugs worked out,” has said that Beau’s memory continues to influence every major decision he makes. In Omaha, he expanded on that idea, reflecting on how his son’s passing ultimately shaped his decision to run for president.
“When Beau died, I lost part of myself,” Biden said. “I didn’t think I could go on in politics, but he wanted me to. He made me promise to stay involved — to keep fighting. That’s what I’ve tried to do every single day.”
The president also touched on his own health, revealing how cancer research has personally affected him. Earlier this year, Biden underwent treatment for an aggressive form of prostate cancer. He drew parallels between his experience and the broader fight against cancer in America.
“When you get that research, that care, when they diagnose it — in my case, I just had prostate cancer — and when you finish that round of treatment, you get to ring that bell,” he said. “I thank God for the doctors and the nurses and the incredible breakthroughs we’re making in cancer research.”
Biden used the moment to highlight his administration’s efforts to fund cancer research and strengthen healthcare programs, while sharply criticizing Donald Trump and Republican lawmakers for cutting government healthcare spending.
“Now Trump and his Republican friends are cutting government funding for healthcare and making it more expensive for virtually everyone,” he said. “We can’t go back to that. We can’t give up on the progress we’ve made.”
Throughout the speech, Biden’s tone shifted between heartfelt reflection and fiery political criticism. At one point, he mocked the current administration’s decision to demolish part of the White House to build a ballroom.
“I knew Trump was going to take a wrecking ball to the country,” he said. “But I have to admit, I didn’t know there was going to be an actual wrecking ball. It’s a perfect symbol of his presidency. Trump has taken a wrecking ball not only to the people’s house but to the Constitution, to the rule of law, to our very democracy.”
The line drew laughter and applause from the audience, but the heart of Biden’s speech remained personal. The focus repeatedly returned to Beau — a man his father believes was destined for greater things.
Those close to the family have long said that Beau embodied many of Joe Biden’s best qualities: empathy, discipline, and moral conviction. He was viewed as a future leader who could have carried forward the Biden legacy in his own right. His father’s words on stage made clear that he still sees his own presidency as something of a continuation of his son’s mission.
“Beau should have been the one standing here,” Biden said softly at one point. “But since he can’t be, I’ll do my best to honor him by serving the country he loved.”
Political observers note that Biden’s comments, while emotional, also serve to remind Americans of the deeply human story behind his presidency. His decades in politics have been marked by loss — from the death of his first wife and infant daughter in a 1972 car accident, to the death of his son decades later. That pattern of resilience in the face of grief has shaped his public image and influenced how voters perceive him.
Many Democrats view Beau’s legacy as one of purpose and service, and his father’s words reinforce the idea that the Biden family’s political story is about more than ambition. It’s about duty — a sense that public office carries an obligation beyond politics.
“If you ask me what keeps me going,” Biden said, “it’s Beau. It’s my family. It’s the belief that America is worth every ounce of strength I have left.”
The speech closed on an optimistic note, with Biden calling on the audience to continue supporting cancer research and to fight against healthcare cuts. “We’ve made progress,” he said. “But there’s so much more to do. We owe it to every family who’s ever sat in a hospital room praying for a miracle.”
Biden’s emotional confession — that his son Beau should have been president — adds another layer to the long and complex story of his career. It’s not the first time he’s made such remarks, but the timing and tone struck a chord. With the next election season already in motion, his reflection on loss, service, and destiny felt as much a message to voters as a tribute to his son.
For many in the audience, it was a moment of raw honesty — a reminder that behind every political leader stands a life full of private pain and public duty.
Beau Biden may never have had the chance to seek the presidency himself, but in his father’s words and actions, his influence continues to shape the country’s story.
If you’ve been affected by any of the issues discussed, you can contact the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345 or through their 24-hour live chat service.
Emily Johnson is a critically acclaimed essayist and novelist known for her thought-provoking works centered on feminism, women’s rights, and modern relationships. Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, Emily grew up with a deep love of books, often spending her afternoons at her local library. She went on to study literature and gender studies at UCLA, where she became deeply involved in activism and began publishing essays in campus journals. Her debut essay collection, Voices Unbound, struck a chord with readers nationwide for its fearless exploration of gender dynamics, identity, and the challenges faced by women in contemporary society. Emily later transitioned into fiction, writing novels that balance compelling storytelling with social commentary. Her protagonists are often strong, multidimensional women navigating love, ambition, and the struggles of everyday life, making her a favorite among readers who crave authentic, relatable narratives. Critics praise her ability to merge personal intimacy with universal themes. Off the page, Emily is an advocate for women in publishing, leading workshops that encourage young female writers to embrace their voices. She lives in Seattle with her partner and two rescue cats, where she continues to write, teach, and inspire a new generation of storytellers.
