The Ailments of Joe Biden and the Gray Areas of His Presidency

Joe Biden during his inauguration in January 2021, when the hope for a calm presidency still filled the Democratic ranks

On May 18, 2025, Joe Biden‘s team announced shocking news. The former American president, aged 82, is suffering from an aggressive prostate cancer. The disease has already caused the appearance of bone metastases, revealing a silent but advanced progression.

However, doctors specify that this cancer is hormone-dependent. Thus, according to Professor Alexandre De La Taille, a recognized specialist in urology, this allows for a targeted therapeutic approach. Notably, hormonal treatments reduce testosterone levels, a hormone that fuels tumor growth. Additionally, associated therapies, such as androgen pathway inhibitors, can delay the progression of the disease.

This image starkly contrasts with classic presidential postures: it suggests a president aware of his decline, bearing a final silent message. In the context of the aggressive cancer and the book Original Sin, this image appears as a visual confession. It represents a suspended moment where the man transcends his role. Thus, he becomes fragile again. The institutional mask seems to crack, revealing a bare truth, that of a leader whom time is catching up with.
This image starkly contrasts with classic presidential postures: it suggests a president aware of his decline, bearing a final silent message. In the context of the aggressive cancer and the book Original Sin, this image appears as a visual confession. It represents a suspended moment where the man transcends his role. Thus, he becomes fragile again. The institutional mask seems to crack, revealing a bare truth, that of a leader whom time is catching up with.

Yet, the Gleason score of 9/10, combined with the presence of multiple metastases, indicates a grim prognosis. Experts mention a reduced life expectancy, subject to the effectiveness of treatments and the patient’s resilience. This diagnosis reignites the debate on transparency regarding the health of political leaders in modern democracies.

A Presidency Under Close Scrutiny

The revelation of this illness comes just hours after the release of Original Sin, a shocking book written by two seasoned journalists of the American political scene. The book portrays a weakened president, governing by proxy, under the discreet but firm grip of a small circle of advisors.

The authors claim that a true institutional staging was orchestrated. Indeed, this aimed to preserve the image of a head of state in full command of his faculties. An internal testimony sums up this cynicism: “He just had to win, then we could hide him for four years.” A chilling phrase, reflecting a strategic vision where the man fades behind the apparatus of power.

This official photograph, smooth and reassuring, embodies the image of a president in full command of his faculties. However, in the recent context of metastasized cancer and a high Gleason score, this picture takes on an entirely different interpretation: that of an institutional veneer intended to mask a concerning reality. This portrait becomes the symbol of a controlled narrative, echoing criticisms about the lack of transparency regarding his health. We see only a political icon, maintained at the expense of reality. Thus, democracy refuses to accept its own weaknesses.
This official photograph, smooth and reassuring, embodies the image of a president in full command of his faculties. However, in the recent context of metastasized cancer and a high Gleason score, this picture takes on an entirely different interpretation: that of an institutional veneer intended to mask a concerning reality. This portrait becomes the symbol of a controlled narrative, echoing criticisms about the lack of transparency regarding his health. We see only a political icon, maintained at the expense of reality. Thus, democracy refuses to accept its own weaknesses.

Signs of a Visible Decline

For several years, signs of a gradual weakening, both physical and cognitive, have been noted in Joe Biden. Viral videos show falls from a bike, loss of balance on the steps of Air Force One, hesitant speeches. These incidents have been widely reported by the media and social networks. Consequently, they have fueled doubts about his ability to perform his duties.

The televised debate of June 2024, broadcast at prime time, was a turning point. Millions of Americans saw a man visibly overwhelmed, struggling to respond to his opponents’ attacks. Shortly after, the site The Atlantic mentioned a collective denial, shared by the presidential entourage and part of the elites, eager to maintain an appearance of continuity and stability.

A Carefully Prepared Succession

Faced with mounting criticism and media pressure, Joe Biden decided not to seek a second term in August 2024. He handed over his position to Kamala Harris, his vice president. She thus became the first Black woman candidate nominated by a major American party.

This transition is presented as a natural handover. In retrospect, it appears as a preemptive maneuver intended to preserve the Democratic legacy. Furthermore, it aims to limit political damage. However, Harris inherits a mixed record, marked by the pandemic, persistent inflation, and social tensions. Biden’s illness, revealed late, reinforces questions about democratic transparency. It also raises questions about the ethics of the advisors. Moreover, it questions the sincerity of the succession process.

This image attempts to present a combative and defensive posture, symptomatic of a presidency under pressure. Joe Biden seems eager to assert his authority. However, at a time when the seriousness of his illness is being revealed, this attitude appears to be more about staging. The contrast between the image of a firm leader and the reality of declining health fuels suspicion. Indeed, some think of a power exercised by proxy, as described in
This image attempts to present a combative and defensive posture, symptomatic of a presidency under pressure. Joe Biden seems eager to assert his authority. However, at a time when the seriousness of his illness is being revealed, this attitude appears to be more about staging. The contrast between the image of a firm leader and the reality of declining health fuels suspicion. Indeed, some think of a power exercised by proxy, as described in “Original Sin.” Just a role for a leader who had to remain standing?

Contrasting Reactions in a Polarized Climate

The announcement of Joe Biden‘s cancer sparked a wave of reactions across the political spectrum. Donald Trump, his former Republican rival, expressed being "deeply saddened," calling for respect during the ordeal. Kamala Harris praised the "dignity" and "resilience" of a man who has endured many personal tragedies. Barack Obama, a loyal supporter, recalled Biden’s commitment to the fight against cancer. This commitment dates back to the death of his son Beau.

However, the political class remains divided. Donald Trump Jr. accused the Biden family of having hidden the severity of the illness during the 2024 campaign. His remarks were condemned as “inhumane” by several Democratic senators. This new episode shows how the American political climate remains deeply polarized. And this includes topics from the personal sphere.

A Turning Point in American Political Memory

Joe Biden‘s health now becomes a political symbol. It fuels reflections on the responsibility of the elites, the role of the media, and the relationship between power and truth. Through Biden’s figure, contemporary America questions its own image: that of an aging democracy, sometimes blind to its own weaknesses.

Thus, the publication of Original Sin could constitute a memorial turning point. The Biden era would no longer be perceived as a post-Trump stabilization. On the contrary, it appears as a backstage-directed interlude. Moreover, this period is characterized by opaque choices and a technocratic management of power. The president’s illness becomes a prism redefining the contours of an era. Indeed, it oscillates between a desire for continuity and a refusal of reality.