Vance Raises Doubts About Biden’s Fitness for Presidency After Cancer Diagnosis

Following the announcement that former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with cancer, Vice President Vance questioned Monday whether Biden was still “capable of doing the job” of Commander in Chief.

“Of course, we wish the best for the former President’s health. It sounds pretty serious, but hopefully he makes the right recovery,” Vance told reporters. “I will say, whether the right time to have this conversation is now or at some point in the future, we really do need to be honest about whether the former President was capable of doing the job.”

“I don’t think he was able to do a good job for the American people,” Vance added.

Biden’s office announced Sunday that he was diagnosed with cancer on Friday after doctors found a nodule on his prostate. Further tests revealed that the cancer had spread to his bones. Biden’s Gleason score, which assesses the aggressiveness of prostate cancers, was 9, indicating a highly aggressive form of the disease.

His office stated that the cancer “appears to be hormone-sensitive, which allows for effective management,” and that Biden and his family “are reviewing treatment options with his physicians.”

Speaking to reporters on Air Force Two on Monday, Vance expressed well wishes for the former President, but added that he did not believe Biden was in “good enough health” to lead the country. Vance also stated that he blamed those around Biden “less” than Biden himself.

“Why didn’t the American people have a better sense of his health picture? Why didn’t the American people have more accurate information about what he was actually dealing with?” Vance questioned. “This is the guy who carries around the nuclear football for the world’s largest nuclear arsenal. This is not child’s play, and we can pray for good health, but also recognize that if you’re not in good enough health to do the job, you shouldn’t be doing the job.”

Biden’s physician stated in a medical record summary released by the White House in February 2024 that Biden was “fit to successfully execute the duties of the Presidency” following a routine physical exam.

However, concerns regarding Biden’s age and cognitive fitness were a prominent issue during his reelection campaign. Calls for him to withdraw from the race increased after the last June, and he ultimately announced his decision to end his candidacy in July. Then-Vice President Kamala Harris subsequently before losing the election to in November.

On Sunday, Trump stated on his social media platform Truth Social that he and First Lady Melania Trump sent their best wishes to Biden’s family, and wished the former President “a fast and successful recovery.”

Trump, who at 78 became the oldest person to begin a presidential term earlier this year, has also faced health scrutiny. Throughout his presidential campaign, many urged him to release his medical records, especially after Harris released hers upon entering the race. After Trump began his second term, the White House the results of his cognitive tests and physical examinations. Trump’s physician deemed him to be in “excellent health” and “fully fit” to be President.

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