Just one day after former President Joe Biden revealed that he is fighting an aggressive form of prostate canc.er, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt struck a tone that many online found unsettling.
At a news briefing, Fox News’ Peter Doocy questioned President Donald Trump if he was concerned about the quality of medical care provided to US presidents in light of Biden’s late-stage diagnosis.
“White House doctors may have missed the early stages of his prostate cancer,” Doocy told reporters. “Is President Trump worried about the quality of care that presidents get here?”
Leavitt, 27, promptly rejected the concerns. “Not as far as President Trump is concerned,” she explained.
“The White House physician we have here is phenomenal,” she added. “And the team at Walter Reed Medical Center is excellent.”
Leavitt went on to highlight Trump’s recent physical checkup results. “He achieved flawless outcomes. He’s in great form. I believe those of you who accompanied us to the Middle East last week can attest to the president’s endurance.”
She also mentioned that Trump was back in the Oval Office working all day on Saturday, immediately after returning from his trip. “He doesn’t stop, he doesn’t quit, he’s in great health, and he trusts his physicians.”
While her words may have been intended to reassure the public about Trump’s well-being, several viewers felt the tone inappropriate given Biden’s critical diagnosis.
“She came off as heartless and vindictive,” one commenter stated. Another person noted that Trump looked to fall asleep several times during the trip Leavitt mentioned.
The uproar erupted after Biden said that he had been diagnosed with a high-grade form of prostate cancer. According to a statement from his office, he had recently been evaluated after suffering urinary symptoms. Doctors identified a prostate nodule, and more tests revealed that the cancer had spread to his bones.
“This represents a more aggressive form of the disease,” the statement said. However, the cancer is thought to be hormone-sensitive, which implies it could respond favorably to treatment.
Biden’s canc3r has been assigned a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5), which is one of the highest possible values, signifying aberrant, rapidly developing cells.
While the cancer’s exact stage has not been revealed, metastasis suggests it is in an advanced stage.
He and his family are presently considering treatment options, which may include hormone therapy. The former president is now at home in Wilmington, Delaware, and has not specified where he will receive treatment.
Despite the severity of the diagnosis, some medical professionals have voiced optimism.
