Trump Shows Brief Sympathy for Biden’s Cancer Diagnosis -In mid-May, when news broke that President Joe Biden had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that had already spread to his bones, former President Donald Trump briefly set aside his usual rhetoric. In a succinct social media post dated May 18, Trump offered his “warmest and best wishes” to Biden, his wife Jill, and their family, expressing hope for a swift recovery. Yet, within days, that moment of courtesy evaporated, as Trump reverted to his customary combative stance—fostering conspiracy theories, reviving old grievances, and openly questioning Biden’s fitness for office.
From Sympathy to Attack: A Swift U-Turn
On May 18, just hours after the White House confirmed that Biden, 82, was facing a serious cancer diagnosis, Trump’s initial reaction was conciliatory. He wrote, “Melania and I are saddened to hear about Joe Biden’s recent medical diagnosis. We extend our warmest and best wishes to Jill and the family, and we wish Joe a fast and successful recovery.” For a brief spell, it looked as though Trump might set aside partisan discord in favor of compassion.
That did not last. Less than a week later—on Memorial Day—Trump took to Truth Social, his preferred platform, to blast Biden’s presidency instead of honoring the holiday’s solemn purpose of remembering fallen servicemembers. He railed against what he characterized as an open-border policy that “allowed 21 million people to illegally enter our country,” many of them criminals, and lambasted Democratic-appointed judges for what he saw as leniency toward violent offenders. His post read more like a campaign speech than a tribute to those who sacrificed their lives, leaving no doubt that his earlier message of sympathy had been retracted.
The Emergence of a Health Conspiracy
Almost as soon as Trump’s initial well wishes faded, he began promoting a factually unsupported theory about Biden’s medical history. In several public statements, Trump insinuated that Biden’s cancer had been diagnosed long before the public announcement—a claim for which there is no credible evidence. During one Truth Social livestream, he conflated the “Gleason score” (which rates prostate cancer aggressiveness) with the cancer’s staging, suggesting that Biden’s cancer had to have been detected far earlier for it to reach its current level of severity.
This line of attack dovetailed with another persistent rumor: that Biden relied on an autopen (an automated signature machine) during his presidency, rather than signing legislation in person. Trump labeled this alleged “Autopen Scandal” as “the Biggest Scandal in American History,” insinuating that it proved Biden was mentally unfit for office. Various right-wing figures picked up the theme. David Sacks, appointed by Trump as his AI czar, publicly speculated that Senator Elizabeth Warren had controlled the autopen during Biden’s term. Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones amplified these rumors, asserting—without any evidence—that Biden’s team used the device to conceal his incapacity.
Extending the Attacks: Family, Health, and Reputation
Trump’s allies did not limit themselves to attacking Biden. His son, Donald Trump Jr., targeted Jill Biden with a tweet that read: “What I want to know is how did Dr Jill Biden miss stage five metastatic cancer or is this yet another coverup???” By twisting Jill Biden’s academic credential (a doctorate in education) into a medical credential, Trump Jr.’s barb doubled down on the autopen conspiracy, while mocking the First Lady over duties that had nothing to do with medicine or oncology.
Meanwhile, Trump’s own posts grew increasingly vitriolic. He shared a message on Truth Social claiming, “They stole the 2020 election and hijacked the country using a decrepit corpse as a frontman. They used an autopen to start wars, steal from our treasury, and pardon their friends. Arrest those responsible and charge them with TREASON.” In the weeks following Biden’s announcement, Trump personally posted or commented on Biden—or members of his family—over 580 times. Despite publicly wishing Biden well, he remained relentless in repurposing the cancer diagnosis as a political weapon.
Why the Shift Matters
Trump’s oscillation—from momentary empathy back to relentless attacks—highlights several broader trends:
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Weaponizing Health for Political Gain
Rather than allowing a moment of empathy to stand, Trump and his team exploited Biden’s vulnerability. With trust in elected leaders already fragile, inkling doubts about a president’s health can have outsized impacts on public perception. The unsubstantiated claim that Biden hid his diagnosis both stoked uncertainty and rallied Trump’s base around the idea of a cover-up. -
Autopen Myths in Modern Politics
Although presidents have used autopens for decades—especially to sign thousands of commemorative or ceremonial items—Trump recast the device as proof of mental incapacity. Biden himself has consistently signed critical legislation in person. Yet resurrecting the autopen narrative has served as a potent conspiracy, fanning fears that the president is a figurehead rather than an active decision-maker. -
Border Security and Culture Wars as Continuous Themes
On Memorial Day, Trump shifted immediately from a message of remembrance to a laundry list of grievances about immigration and crime. This was consistent with his long-standing emphasis on border security, which he portrayed as a matter of national survival. By co-opting a solemn holiday to re-litigate the last administration’s policies, Trump reminded followers of themes that had powered his 2016 and 2020 campaigns.
Adding Historical Perspective: Autopen Usage Over Time
To appreciate why the autopen theory has traction, it helps to understand its actual history. Autopens first appeared in the 1930s to help presidents sign multiple copies of greeting cards or proclamations. For presidents inundated with invitations, memorial books, or personal correspondence, an autopen was a practical solution. Richard Nixon famously used one to sign tens of thousands of condolences and congratulatory notes, and presidents since have occasionally relied on it for low-profile, time-consuming tasks—never for critical legislation. That nuance, however, is often lost amid sensational headlines.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What exactly is an autopen, and is it normal for presidents to use one?
A: An autopen is a machine that replicates a person’s signature onto paper or other materials. Presidents have used autopens since the mid-20th century to handle mass mailings, commemorative documents, or proclamations. It is standard procedure for non-legally binding items and does not imply that the president is incapacitated, nor is it used for signing major legislative acts.
Q2: Did Biden actually hide his cancer diagnosis from the public?
A: No credible evidence supports that claim. The White House announced Biden’s prostate cancer diagnosis on May 18, 2025, after routine exams flagged an issue. Prior to that, there were no official or medical records indicating an earlier diagnosis. Conflating the Gleason score (which assesses cancer-cell aggressiveness) with cancer staging is a misunderstanding that has fueled false rumors.
Q3: How did Trump’s initial well-wishes compare to his later posts?
A: On May 18, Trump expressed genuine sympathy for Biden’s diagnosis. Within days, however, Trump’s social media posts shifted to personal attacks, conspiracy theories about Biden’s mental fitness, and criticisms of his policies. This abrupt pivot suggests the initial empathy was more performative than lasting, quickly overshadowed by political rhetoric.
Q4: Why do politicians exploit health issues in campaigns?
A: Questioning an opponent’s health can sow doubt among voters, especially about their capacity to lead. Throughout U.S. history, presidential candidates have weaponized health rumors—from Franklin D. Roosevelt’s hidden disability to John F. Kennedy’s back problems. In every case, concerns about a leader’s vigor feed into broader narratives about trust and competence.
Q5: How should the public evaluate health-related claims made by political figures?
A: Look for reputable sources—statements from White House physicians, peer-reviewed medical reports, or direct medical records when available. Separate verified medical information from partisan commentary. If a claim goes unsubstantiated by credible evidence, treat it as rumor rather than fact.
Final Thoughts
Donald Trump’s fleeting expression of concern for Joe Biden’s health, followed by a quick return to adversarial politics, underscores how personal misfortunes can become fodder for political battles. Conspiracy theories around autopen usage and hidden illnesses thrive in an environment where sensationalism often outpaces sober analysis. As Americans grapple with the news of a sitting president facing stage four cancer, distinguishing genuine medical updates from politically charged speculation is more important than ever.
