Biden says he wouldn't have run in 2024 if he knew he had cancer

Joe Biden stated in an interview with People magazine that he did not know he had cancer while serving as president and would not have sought a second term in 2024 if he had been diagnosed at that time, PBS NewsHour Politics reported.

Biden was diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer months after leaving office in 2025. He said he believed an 80-year-old man with cancer should not be running for president, but he insisted he was able to perform his duties while in office and that his age brought experience and valuable relationships with world leaders.

Regarding his June 2024 debate performance against Donald Trump, Biden described it as "not very consequential" and said he expected another debate to follow, which did not happen, according to Politico. He noted that the debate did not disturb him despite concerns about his age and ability to defeat Trump.

Biden ended his 2024 campaign within weeks of the debate and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, who won the Democratic nomination but lost the general election to Trump. His son Hunter told the BBC that Biden's cancer had spread and was causing significant pain and debilitation.