When news broke that former President Joe Biden had been diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer, many public figures offered words of sympathy and support—but Donald Trump Jr. took a different approach.

In a since-deleted post on X (formerly Twitter), Trump Jr. shared a message from Dr. Steven Quay questioning the timing and transparency of Biden’s diagnosis. Quay suggested it was “highly likely” Biden had been aware of the cancer during his presidency, implying a cover-up. Trump Jr. amplified these claims, adding his own inflammatory remark: “What I want to know is how did Dr. Jill Biden miss stage five metastatic cancer or is this yet another coverup???”
The backlash was swift. Critics called his comments “disgusting,” “tasteless,” and “shameful.” Author Don Winslow refused to repost the statement, instead sharing an old photo of Trump Jr. posing with hunting trophies, implying a pattern of insensitive behavior. Others pointed out the cruelty of using a serious health crisis for political attacks, especially when targeting Jill Biden, who holds a doctorate in education—not medicine.
Notably, Trump Jr.’s initial response had been more measured, with a post wishing Biden a “full and speedy recovery.” But the shift to conspiracy theories and personal jabs overshadowed that brief moment of civility. Meanwhile, his father, former President Donald Trump, offered a straightforward message of sympathy on Truth Social, expressing sadness over the diagnosis and wishing Biden well.
As Biden and his family weigh treatment options, the incident serves as a reminder of how quickly political discourse can turn toxic—even in the face of personal hardship.