Former Rep. Bob Brady (D-Pa.), a longtime friend of former President Joe Biden, reported that Biden’s family has assured him the former president is doing well after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer. Brady, who has known Biden for decades, indicated the family has not expressed undue concern, stating they believe the condition is treatable. The family’s confidence in the treatment plan has been conveyed to Brady, who has not spoken directly to Biden since the diagnosis.
The Biden team announced the diagnosis over the weekend, confirming that the cancer has spread to the bone, but noted it is hormone-sensitive and thus manageable. Medical experts, however, caution that stage-four prostate cancer, while treatable, remains a serious condition. The diagnosis comes amid ongoing scrutiny of Biden’s physical and mental health during his presidency and prior to his withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race.
Brady, who has been a consistent advocate for Biden within the Philadelphia Democratic Party, expressed deep affection for the former president, stating he ‘loves him to death.’ Having been friends with Biden for over 30 years, Brady has long called the former president ‘our senator, even though he’s from Delaware.’ Their friendship has been marked by numerous interactions, often centered around shared interests like Corvettes. Brady’s recent comments reflect the ongoing relationship between the two, despite the political tensions within the Democratic Party.
The announcement of Biden’s diagnosis came amid widespread recriminations within the Democratic Party about Biden’s physical and mental condition during his presidency and before he dropped out of the presidential campaign last year. It also coincided with the release of a book on Tuesday arguing that an inner circle kept a diminished Biden shielded from the public. And just last week, Axios posted audio clips of Biden’s interview with then-special counsel Robert Hur, in which he struggled to recall key dates.
Brady, chair of the Philadelphia Democratic Party, said Biden’s family told him the president would call him after primary elections in his state on Tuesday.
“I call him ‘the boss,’” he said. “They said the boss will call you after the election.
He added of Biden: “I love him to death,” remarking that he “didn’t want to bother me” before the primary.