Joe Biden makes first public appearance since cancer reveal

Cancer-stricken former US President Joe Biden has emerged publicly for the first time since his heartbreaking cancer announcement.

Former US President Joe Biden emerged publicly for the first time since his heartbreaking cancer announcement to attend his grandson’s high school graduation.

The former president posed for photos with his grandson Robert Hunter Biden II, daughter Ashley and former first lady Jill Biden during the ceremony at Salisbury School in Salisbury, Connecticut.

“Proud Nana and Pop! Congratulations Hunter — we are so proud of you,” Jill Biden captioned one of the photos.

Picture: Instagram

Last week, the former president revealed that he was battling an “aggressive” form of prostate cancer that had metastasised to his bones.

The announcement came just days before a bombshell book alleging a “cover-up” about his decline, Original Sin, hit bookshelves, the New York Post reports.

The cancer was diagnosed with a Gleason score of 9, on a scale that goes up to 10.

Robert Hunter Biden II is the 18-year-old son of Hallie and Beau Biden, who died of brain cancer in 2015.

Joe Biden was photographed at his grandson’s graduation ceremony. Picture: Instagram

Hallie Biden later had an affair with Hunter Biden, whom she testified had introduced her to crack cocaine when she appeared as one of the star witnesses during his trial last year.

Despite the public drama, Hallie Biden appears to have managed to remain somewhat connected to the Biden family, even though she has since married outside the family to Cincinnati financial broker John Hopkins Anning.

In addition to attending his grandson’s high school graduation, multiple TikTok users posted footage of the former president strolling through an airport, though it’s not entirely clear which one.

Just prior to the Bidens’ appearance at the Salisbury School graduation, the former president was pictured with other family members at the Woodland Restaurant.

“He was so gracious and thoughtful in conversations with staff and guests,” the restaurant claimed on its Instagram.

“Congratulations to his grandson on his graduation.”

Shortly after his cancer announcement, the 46th president posted a smiling picture of himself next to Jill and their cat, thanking the public for the tributes.

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

The former president is reviewing his treatment options and his prostate cancer “appears to be hormone-sensitive, which allows for effective management,” according to his spokesperson.

A spokesperson for the former president later clarified that he hadn’t been officially diagnosed with prostate cancer until May 16 and that he hadn’t been tested for it in over a decade.

LATEST CLAIMS OF COVER UP IN BOMBSHELL BIDEN BOOK

A small, tight-knit group in former President Joe Biden’s inner circle was running the White House like a “politburo,” and they were the “ultimate decision-makers” as Mr Biden’s health and cognitive function continued to decline, according to the authors of a bombshell new book, The Post reports.

This group, dubbed the “politburo,” included a coterie of seasoned political veterans, including Mike Donilon, Steve Ricchetti and Bruce Reed — but also family members such as first lady Jill Biden and the president’s son Hunter, the authors of “Original Sin” claim.

“In terms of who was running the White House, it’s a small group of people that have been around,” author Alex Thompson told PBS’ “Washington Week”. “Some people within the administration called them the Politburo. That’s the term we used in the book.”

The newly released book "Original Sin" about Joe Biden's mental and physical fitness during his run for a second term as president, is displayed at a Manhattan bookstore on May 20, 2025 in New York City. Picture: Getty Images via AFP

Former White House chief of staff Ron Klain was at times part of the “politburo,” as was former senior adviser to the president Annie Tomasini. Also on the “politburo” was the first lady’s former top adviser and “work husband,” Anthony Bernal, whom The Post previously reported created a toxic workplace environment.

“And Joe Biden himself also is part of this. Joe Biden is not like — it’s not ‘Weekend at Bernie’s,’ right?” said co-author and CNN anchor Jake Tapper, referring to the movie about a dead guy who is wheeled around as part of an elaborate ruse.

“He has some purchase here. He has some agency. And he’s aware of some of what’s going on.”

Tapper added: “He’s aware of the fact that they are keeping the cabinet away from him, they are keeping some White House staffers away from him.”

“Five people were running the country, and Joe Biden was at best a senior member of the board,” one source familiar with the inner workings of the White House told the authors.

The Politburo had been forceful in rejecting and diminishing concerns about the former president’s age and mental acuity, according to the book.

The advisers had generally seen “concerns about Biden’s age as simply a political vulnerability, not a serious limitation,” the book claims.