‘I Would Not Have Run’: Biden Reflects On Cancer Diagnosis & 2024 Campaign
By SUSAN ESSEX
FORMER United States President Joe Biden has said he would not have sought a second presidential term if he had known that cancer was causing his declining health during the 2024 campaign.
In an interview released on Wednesday, Biden said he felt unwell before doctors diagnosed him with an aggressive form of prostate cancer. However, he maintained that he did not know the illness was responsible for his condition at the time.
“If I had known that I was feeling lousy because I had cancer, I would have resigned. I would’ve not gone forward,” he said.
According to Biden, an 80-year-old man battling cancer should not seek the presidency. Nevertheless, he insisted that he believed he was capable of performing the duties of the office when he pursued re-election.
The former president also played down the controversy surrounding his June 2024 debate with Republican candidate Donald Trump. During the televised encounter, Biden struggled to articulate his arguments and appeared confused, raising fresh concerns about his age and ability to continue in office.
Although the debate intensified pressure on him, Biden described his performance as “not very consequential”. He argued that he had expected another debate and did not consider the first encounter decisive.
However, the political fallout proved significant. Biden eventually withdrew from the presidential race and endorsed his vice president, Kamala Harris, just 107 days before the election.
His debate performance also alarmed his wife, Jill Biden, who reportedly feared he might have suffered a stroke.
Meanwhile, the former president rejected suggestions that his administration concealed information about his health. He said the public was informed about his cancer diagnosis as soon as doctors identified the condition.
Biden argued that national leaders should be open about illnesses because ordinary citizens also experience similar health challenges.
The interview comes ahead of the publication of his presidential memoir, Promise Me, America, scheduled for release next Tuesday.
Nevertheless, Biden has indicated that his cancer diagnosis could restrict his ability to promote the book publicly.
