Full story
Cancer spreads, family speaks
Hunter Biden said in a BBC Newsnight interview that former President Joe Biden’s cancer has spread, “metastasized into his bones and further,” and described the illness as “very painful” and “very debilitating.”
““The cancer has spread, metastasized into his bones and further,””
Hunter Biden told the BBC that his father remains active and engaged in public life despite the progression, and he said watching Joe Biden’s health decline has been “really hard.”
The Biden family previously announced in May 2025 that Joe Biden was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer, describing it as “hormone-sensitive,” which allowed for “effective management.”
PEOPLE reported that the family’s statement characterized the cancer with “a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5) with metastasis to the bone,” and said the President and his family were reviewing treatment options with his physicians.
What Hunter said on Newsnight
In the same BBC Newsnight interview, Hunter Biden said, “It’s really sad to watch,” and added, “The only thing that I’d say about my dad, about his health right now, is I wish he would complain more, because it’s not good.”
Hunter Biden also emphasized that Joe Biden is still the “center of our family,” calling him “the best father, the best husband, the best grandfather,” while describing his father as the “rock” of the family.
TheWrap quoted Hunter Biden telling Paddy O’Connell, “It’s really tough, Paddy. And that’s the real answer,” as he reflected on how hard it has been to watch Joe Biden battle cancer.
Newser similarly framed Hunter Biden’s remarks as describing the cancer as “very painful” and “very debilitating,” while reporting that Joe Biden was diagnosed in May last year, four months after leaving the White House.
Treatment, public life, next
PEOPLE reported that during a June 1 Today show appearance, Jill Biden said her husband was “doing OK,” and she later told Craig Melvin that “I think Joe will live with cancer till the rest of his life.”
““I think Joe will live with cancer till the rest of his life,””
The Biden family’s May 2025 statement said the cancer “appears to be hormone-sensitive which allows for effective management,” and it said the President and his family were reviewing treatment options with his physicians.
In October 2025, a spokesperson for Joe told PEOPLE that he was undergoing radiation therapy and hormone treatment, and sources told the outlet he was doing well and responding to treatment.
Hunter Biden said Joe Biden remains “out there” and “still doing his thing,” and he told the BBC that his father “firmly believes in this country,” even as the cancer has spread beyond the bones.
