'Strongest in the broken places': Joe and Jill Biden say thanks amid cancer diagnosis

ABC News - May 19th, 2025
Open on ABC News

Joe and Jill Biden have expressed gratitude for the support they've received following the announcement of Joe Biden's prostate cancer diagnosis. The former president's office revealed on Sunday that he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer on Friday. However, it is hormone-sensitive, which may allow for effective management. The Biden family is currently reviewing treatment options with medical professionals.

This development has significant implications, given Joe Biden's prominent public profile. The announcement underscores the pervasive nature of cancer and highlights the strength in community support during health challenges. The situation is ongoing, with further updates expected as treatment decisions are made and more information becomes available.

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RATING

6.8
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides a timely and clear report on Joe Biden's prostate cancer diagnosis, a topic of significant public interest. It accurately conveys the information released by Biden's office, although it lacks detailed medical context and additional perspectives that could enhance its balance and source quality. The story's engagement and impact are moderate, driven by the high-profile nature of the subject, but could be improved with more comprehensive coverage. Overall, the article effectively informs readers about a developing news story, though it could benefit from greater transparency and depth.

RATING DETAILS

8
Accuracy

The news story accurately reports on Joe Biden's diagnosis of prostate cancer, as confirmed by his office. The statement about the cancer being 'a more aggressive form' but hormone-sensitive aligns with typical medical descriptions, although further medical details, such as the specific treatment options being considered, are not provided. The story's mention of the Bidens expressing gratitude for public support is consistent with expected public communications in such situations. However, the story lacks details on the prognosis and specific medical assessments like the Gleason Score, which would enhance its precision. The claim that this is a developing story suggests ongoing updates, indicating an awareness of the need for further verification.

7
Balance

The article maintains a neutral tone, focusing on the facts of Biden's diagnosis and the public response. It does not exhibit bias towards any political viewpoint or individual. However, the story could include a broader range of perspectives, such as reactions from medical experts or public health officials, to provide a more comprehensive view. The lack of these perspectives limits the balance slightly but does not significantly detract from the article's fairness.

8
Clarity

The article is written in clear and straightforward language, making it easy for readers to understand the main points. The structure is logical, with a clear progression from the announcement of the diagnosis to the Bidens' response. The tone is neutral and appropriate for the subject matter, contributing to the overall clarity. However, the lack of detailed medical information might leave readers with questions about the specifics of the diagnosis.

6
Source quality

The story relies on a statement from Joe Biden's office, which is a primary and authoritative source for information about his health. However, it does not cite additional sources such as medical experts or independent confirmations, which would strengthen the reliability of the report. The absence of diverse sources means the article leans heavily on the official statement, which, while credible, does not provide a complete picture.

5
Transparency

The article does not provide much context about the methodology behind the information gathering. It lacks transparency regarding how the information was verified or whether additional sources were consulted. While it clearly states that it is a developing story, suggesting updates will follow, the current level of transparency about the reporting process is limited.

Sources

  1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BO2AnJ8rhDU
  2. https://abcnews.go.com
  3. https://abcnews.go.com/US
  4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbtUQ3vIJ6s
  5. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rosUZmyu0JA