Hunter Biden says Joe Biden’s cancer has spread further

Hunter Biden has told BBC Newsnight that his father, former US president Joe Biden, is experiencing further spread of prostate cancer despite treatment.

What Hunter Biden said

In a wide-ranging interview published late Friday with BBC Newsnight, Hunter Biden said his father’s disease “has spread, is metastasized into his bones and further.”

“The cancer has spread, is metastasized into his bones and further,” Biden said. “It’s very painful, and it’s very debilitating in many respects, but he’s still out there. He’s still doing his thing…he so believes in this country.”

Hunter Biden appeared emotional at times while discussing his father’s health, adding: “It’s really, really hard, and it’s really sad to watch.”

Background on Joe Biden’s diagnosis and treatment

The elder Biden revealed in May 2025 that he had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that had spread to his bones. The source reports he subsequently began treatment, including radiation and hormone therapy.

During an announcement of his upcoming memoir the previous month, the 83-year-old said treatment was going “really well.”

Political context

The report notes that, despite questions about his health as the oldest-ever US president, Biden then aged 81 decided to run for a second term in 2024. After a disastrous debate performance against Donald Trump in June 2024 and pressure from Democrats, Biden withdrew from the presidential race. The story says Trump went on to beat Biden’s replacement candidate, then-vice president Kamala Harris.

What we know from the interview

• Hunter Biden said the cancer has “metastasized into his bones and further.”
• He described the illness as “very painful” and “very debilitating.”
• Hunter Biden said his father remains active and determined: “he’s still out there. He’s still doing his thing…he so believes in this country.”

Reporting in this article is based on the BBC interview as described in the source material.