Joe Biden reflected on his 2024 reelection bid, then revealed what would have stopped his campaign before it started: ‘I would’ve not gone forward’
Looking back.
Joe Biden recently shared a perspective on his 2024 campaign that offers context on his decision to step aside. In a sit-down interview with PEOPLE, the former president revealed that he would have bowed out of the race much earlier if he had known about his health condition at the time. He stated, “If I had known that I was feeling lousy because I had cancer, I would’ve not gone forward” with his reelection bid. This admission comes right before the release of his White House memoir on November 17, 2026.
The timeline of the cancer diagnosis is critical here. Biden was diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer in May 2025, 118 days after he left office. During his time in the White House, he was unaware of the illness. He emphasized that he had no idea he was dealing with such a serious health issue while performing his presidential duties. He told the interviewer, “I don’t think an 80-year-old man with cancer should be running” for president.
Biden, who turns 84 on November 20, maintains he was fully capable of doing his job. He argued that his age gave him an advantage, specifically regarding his experience and his deep personal relationships with leaders across the globe. He said, “I believe that on an objective basis, I was the best-equipped person to do the job.”
The interview explored Biden’s views on the June 2024 debate with Donald Trump
When asked if the undiagnosed cancer may have exacerbated the toll the presidency took on him, he noted that he never felt the weight in the way other presidents described. He mentioned that he did not find the job as difficult as Harry Truman once described it, and he felt the cancer did not interfere with his work. The conversation also touched upon the June 2024 debate against Donald Trump. Many people viewed that performance as the turning point that fueled concerns about his age and viability as a candidate.
However, Biden remains defiant about the impact of that night. He insisted that the debate was not a seismic event. He said, “Look, I don’t know anybody who hasn’t made a mistake in a debate. To me, it was not very consequential. First of all, I thought there’d be another debate, which there wasn’t. But notwithstanding the fact that there wasn’t another debate, it didn’t disturb me because it wasn’t consequential.”
Biden withdrew from the race shortly after that debate and endorsed former Vice-president Kamala Harris. He also used the interview to address the public discourse surrounding his son, Hunter Biden. Since leaving office, Hunter has taken a more active role in the public eye, often engaging with critics on social media and even starting a cryptocurrency.
Biden spoke about why he pardoned Hunter
Biden defended his son, calling him one of the brightest men he knows. He also spoke about his decision to pardon Hunter following his conviction on federal felony gun charges and his guilty plea to federal tax charges. Biden explained that he felt the pardon was necessary because he believed Donald Trump would use his power to target his family.
He claimed, “He goes after people without any basis, whether they’re viewed as an enemy. I knew what he would do. If I hadn’t pardoned – not just some of my family members, anyone who’s dealt with me – he would go back and try to do harm to them.” According to ABC News, while Hunter has reportedly suggested the pardon hurt his father’s legacy, Biden stands by his choice.
Regarding his own current health, Biden is fighting a stage 4 diagnosis that has spread to his bones. He writes in his memoir, Promise Me, America, that he is determined to “fight like hell” with the help of his medical team and family. During the interview at his Wilmington, Delaware, home on November 5, he sounded optimistic about his treatment.
‘It looks very positive’
Biden mentioned taking eight different pills a day and noted that recent tests show the cancer has not spread further. He stated, “It looks very positive. There’s a lot of people who’ve been diagnosed with cancer, particularly the kind of cancer I have, who live long lives, who live for another 10, 20 years.”
The former president also addressed the rumors that he might have kept his diagnosis secret while in office. He called this a “cynical twist” and insisted he was transparent as soon as he learned the news. He believes it is important for a national leader to be open about the challenges that many Americans face.
Biden noted that standard medical guidelines do not typically recommend prostate cancer screenings for men over 70. This is primarily why he was not treated differently until he started experiencing recurring pain. The former president says he is now finding comfort in his routine, which includes spending significant time with his grandchildren. He referred to them as the loves of his life and enjoys their interest in public service and the well-being of the country.
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