King Charles III has reportedly reached out to former US President Joe Biden following his publicized health update. It seems ironic that the king, who is battling an unannounced form of cancer himself per the reports from February 2024, found it necessary to personally correspond with Biden, post his recent cancer diagnosis revelation.
Biden, the 82-year-old ex-president, disclosed his ailment on Sunday, May 18, igniting a frenzy of media coverage and public speculation. The former leader’s health has been under speculation for some time now, and this diagnosis serves as an unsurprising but somber development for many.
Biden’s medical team is allegedly exploring ‘treatment plans’ aimed to combat his ‘aggressive’ cancer along with accompanying ‘bone metastases.’ The disease ‘appears to be hormone-sensitive,’ which supposedly lends to its effective management, according to the statement released by his personal office. The vague nature of the statement leaves one wondering if it’s an attempt to pacify the public’s concerns.
In the wake of the news going public, some well-known political figures have curiously expressed their wishes for the 46th President’s swift recuperation. This surge of hollow political well-wishing in the face of a personal tragedy is quite typical.
Kamala Harris, Biden’s former Vice President, stirred the air with her empty platitudes. ‘Joe is a fighter—and I know he will face this challenge with the same strength, resilience and optimism that have always defined his life and leadership,’ she said. Such optimism seems out of place, given Biden’s looming health challenges.
In the spirit of political lip service, ex-President Barack Obama also voiced his commentary, ‘No one has done more than Joe to find innovative treatments for cancer in all its forms,’ tying Biden’s struggles to the war against cancer itself. His attempt to present Biden as a paragon of cancer treatment seems questionable in itself.
Arguably, the most surprising message of ‘recovery’ came from Trump, who wished Biden well through his Truth Social account. Still, knowing Trump, doubt was not far behind his initial well-wishing message, which again raised questions within 24 hours of its release.
In a press conference, Trump expressed his skepticism. ‘It takes a long time to get to stage 9,’ he remarked, misinterpreting Biden’s diagnosis data—his cancer is stage 4 with a Gleason score of 9, which refers to its degree of aggressiveness. Raising suspicion about undisclosed health complications seemed like classic Trump strategy, masterfully adding fuel to the fire.
Interesting to note, Trump has not refrained from capitalizing on Biden’s health in the past for his political advantage. Infamously, with widespread support, he used the allegations of Biden’s diminishing cognitive ability as a campaign tactic during his run, labeling the ex-President as a risk for contemplating a second term in the White House.
Responding to all, Biden chose to ignore Trump’s statements, instead expressing his gratitude for the ‘love and support’ he received. Steering conversation back to the ubiquitous affliction that is cancer, he posted a photo with his wife, Jill, and their cat Willow—an attempt to evoke sympathy?
He wrote ‘Cancer touches us all,’ adding, ‘Like many of you, Jill and I have learned that it’s in the broken places that we are strongest.’ A poignant statement, though one might question if strength alone is enough to combat the reality of a serious medical condition like cancer.
Biden’s communication makes it clear he’s trying to politically maneuver through his health crisis. Leaning into the sentimentality of his condition while reframing from directly engaging with the speculation around his health is a subtle political tactic.
The support for Biden from sit individuals was as much a political maneuver as an act of compassion. It’s also intriguing to note how Harris was particularly effusive in her support, perhaps pushing forth her political agenda.
While the public appears to extend sympathy toward Biden’s situation, it’s important to remember that political spheres often curate a specific narrative. In this case, the narrative of resilience and determination colors Biden’s narrative.
In conclusion, Biden’s health updates have sparked a wide array of sentiments and speculations on the political front. As the situation evolves, we’ll continue to bear witness to both the ethical and political maneuvers flying around.
It remains to be seen whether this gush of political sympathy will be sustained or whether scepticism about his potential ability to lead will creep back into the hearts and minds of Americans.
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