Former President Joe Biden revealed in a new People magazine interview that he would not have pursued reelection in 2024 had he known he was suffering from cancer during his presidency, a disclosure that adds context to his sudden campaign withdrawal following his poor debate performance against Donald Trump.
Cancer Diagnosis After Leaving Office
Biden, who turns 84 on November 20, was diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer months after leaving the White House in January 2025. The former president stated he would not have moved forward with his reelection campaign if he had understood his health struggles stemmed from cancer. “I don’t think an 80-year-old man with cancer should be running” for president, Biden told the magazine ahead of his White House memoir release.
His son Hunter disclosed to the BBC in August that the cancer had spread and was causing significant pain for his father, describing it as “very painful and very debilitating in many respects.” Despite these revelations, Biden maintained that he was fully capable of performing his presidential duties while in office, arguing that his age brought valuable experience and established relationships with world leaders.
Debate Performance and Campaign Exit
Biden defended his June 2024 debate performance against Trump, which Democrats widely viewed as disastrous and which accelerated concerns about his fitness for office at age 81. He characterized the debate as not consequential, explaining he expected additional debates that never materialized. Within weeks of that appearance, Biden withdrew from the race and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, who went on to lose the general election to Trump.
Family Controversies and Pardons
The former president addressed his controversial decision to pardon family members, justifying it as protection against Trump’s potential retribution. Biden expressed concern that Trump would target anyone associated with his administration, saying Trump “goes after people without any basis.” He praised his son Hunter, who has assumed a more prominent public role since his father left office, including launching cryptocurrency ventures and engaging Republicans on social media. Biden called Hunter “one of the brightest men I know,” though his son has stated the pardons damaged his father’s legacy.
Presidential Assessment
Despite the health challenges that emerged after his presidency, Biden maintained confidence in his qualifications for the office. “I believe that on an objective basis, I was the best-equipped person to do the job,” he stated, arguing that age alone should not disqualify candidates who possess necessary experience and diplomatic relationships developed over decades in public service.