GOP Senator Says Timing of Biden's Cancer Diagnosis Meant to 'Distract the American People'

Former President Joe Biden announced on Sunday that he was diagnosed with Stage 4 metastatic prostate cancer. A prominent doctor said Monday that Biden has likely had the disease for "several years," including during his time in office. According to the diagnosis, the cancer has metastasized and spread to his bones, which increases its severity.

Following the announcement, several public figures voiced support for the Biden family. Former President Barack Obama shared words of encouragement, while others, including Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., questioned the timing of the news—suggesting it may be politically motivated.

During an interview with Fox News' Will Cain in Washington, D.C., Mullin claimed members of the Biden family may have known about the diagnosis for some time.

"It's interesting, the timing of them releasing the cancer," Mullin said. "It seems like since the Hur tapes were released, they're like, 'Hey, wait, it might be a good time to distract the American people and talk about his cancer,'" he said, in reference to an interview with special counsel Robert Hur during a probe of his handling of classified information, in which Biden had trouble answering questions and remembering facts, reigniting questions about his mental acuity.

"We know that cancer has been there for a while," he added. "And when you start talking about the tapes themselves—I think the special counsel went as far as he could—but then you had the media covering it up."

On Monday, Dr. Zeke Emanuel, a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, told MSNBC that if the cancer has indeed spread to Biden's bones, it's likely he's had it for several years.

"He did not develop it in the last 100 or 200 days. He had it while he was president. He probably had it at the start of his presidency, in 2021. I don't think there's any disagreement about that," Emanuel said.

Biden has not commented directly on the claims. On Monday, he acknowledged the public response to his diagnosis, thanking Americans for their support. He posted a photo on X featuring himself, first lady Jill Biden, and their cat, Willow.

"Cancer touches us all. Like so many of you, Jill and I have learned that we are strongest in the broken places," Biden wrote. "Thank you for lifting us up with love and support."