On Monday’s episode of Morning Joe, hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski were reportedly taken aback by remarks from Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel regarding former President Joe Biden’s recently disclosed prostate cancer diagnosis.
Emanuel, an oncologist and a member of Biden’s COVID Advisory Board, suggested that Biden may have had the aggressive form of cancer for as long as a decade, raising serious questions about the timing and transparency of his medical evaluations.
Biden’s diagnosis was made public over the weekend, with his office describing the cancer as “aggressive” and discussing potential management options.
During the segment, Dr. Emanuel expressed his surprise that the diagnosis had not been made earlier, stating that the advanced stage of the cancer implied it had been developing for many years.
Scarborough pressed Emanuel about the implications of such a late-stage diagnosis, asking, “Doesn’t it take some time for prostate cancer to develop to a point where it would spread to the bone?”
Emanuel responded affirmatively, indicating that Biden likely had the cancer for “many years,” possibly even a decade.
He noted that the absence of a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test result in Biden’s medical records was particularly concerning.
While acknowledging that many doctors recommend against routine PSA testing for men over 70, Emanuel pointed out that Biden’s extensive public life and previous medical exams should have warranted closer scrutiny.
“It’s a little surprising that they didn’t do it,” he said, suggesting that Biden may have opted out of the test, a choice some men make.
The conversation took a more serious turn as Scarborough inquired whether Biden’s cancer had been present during his presidency.
Emanuel confirmed, stating unequivocally, “Oh yeah. He did not develop it in the last 100 to 200 days. He probably had it at the start of his presidency in 2021.”
Emanuel’s comments stirred a mix of concern and disbelief among the Morning Joe hosts. Brzezinski and Scarborough pressed for clarity on the medical ethics surrounding the diagnosis, questioning the responsibility of Biden’s healthcare providers in managing and communicating about his condition.
As the segment continued, Emanuel highlighted the severity of the situation, indicating that the Gleason score of Biden’s cancer—an important measure of its aggressiveness—was a nine, categorizing it as very abnormal.
He reiterated the need for transparency in such critical health matters, particularly for a sitting president.
The discussion reflects broader concerns about the health and fitness of political leaders, particularly as the controversy around Biden’s decision to try and run in the 2024 election continues.
With increasing scrutiny on his age and health, the implications of Emanuel’s assertions could have lasting effects on public perception and Biden’s campaign strategy moving forward.
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