On the Monday Evening News, only one legacy media newscast mentioned the serious questions around the Biden White House while covering the former president’s cancer diagnosis. The others continued to pretend it didn’t exist.
Watch as NBC’s Peter Alexander makes reference to “Original Sin”, the Tapper/Thompson book detailing the conspiracy to hide Biden’s decline from the public, and the Hur tapes:
PETER ALEXANDER: The diagnosis as Democrats were in the midst of a reckoning following new accounts Biden's aides and allies may have concealed his mental decline as president. Biden recently dismissing those accounts.
JOE BIDEN: They're wrong. There’s nothing to sustain that.
ALEXANDER: Leaked audio clips from his 2023 interview with Special Counsel Robert Hur were released Friday, showing the president at times struggling to recall names and dates.
BIDEN: Well, it was 2013. When did I stop being vice president?
ALEXANDER: Now, some allies are questioning why the cancer was not detected sooner.
EZEKIEL EMANUEL: It’s a little surprising to many of us oncologists that he wasn't diagnosed earlier. He did not develop it in the last 100, 200 days. He had it while he was president.
It’s not that Alexander’s report didn’t cover the other stuff- but that NBC made an editorial decision to include everything in its report and let viewers decide on the merits of the information. The other networks didn't do that.
Consider ABC, which ran a report that resembled more of an in vivo eulogy of Biden. Here’s how her report on World News Tonight ended:
DAVID MUIR: So let's bring in Rachel Scott, she’s live at The White House tonight. And Rachel, we all know that for years former President Biden made cancer and fighting it, working to find a cure, one of his most important issues. And of course, now the former president finds himself battling the disease faced by millions of Americans every day.
RACHEL SCOTT: Yes, David, and Biden saying himself today that cancer touches us all. We know the former president is reviewing treatment options, including the option of hormone therapy with his doctors. But medical experts tell us that with a cancer at this stage and this aggressive, surgery is likely not an option, but treatment can help slow the spread of the disease and manage symptoms, David.
There were no mentions of the timing, or the book, or the Hur tapes, or of anything that might disrupt their narrative. The report was kept as emotional as possible without any mention of the incriminating materials.
The CBS Evening News took a different approach, interviewing a doctor instead. Likewise, there were no mentions of the Hur tapes or of the book, or of anything else that might distract from the task of eliciting sympathy for the former president.
In so doing by running away from the incriminating materials, the legacy media continue to solidify their role in hiding the former president from the American public.
Click “expand” to view the full transcripts of the aforementioned newscasts as aired on their respective networks on Monday, May 19th, 2025:
ABC WORLD NEWS TONIGHT
5/19/25
6:36 PM
DAVID MUIR: We move on to the other news and to former President Biden, revealing he's battling an aggressive form of prostate cancer, indicating the cancer has metastasized. It has spread to his bones. The former president reporting that doctors found a prostate nodule last week and he is now reviewing his treatment options. Tonight, the former president has posted this photo with his wife, Dr. Jill Biden, saying, quote, "cancer touches us all" saying of his family, "We are the strongest in the broken places." Tonight, what we've learned about how serious this is. Here's Rachel Scott.
RACHEL SCOTT: Tonight, former President Joe Biden posting this picture, smiling next to the former first lady in Delaware, where they are reviewing treatment options in his battle with stage 4 prostate cancer, which has spread to his bones. “Cancer touches us all”, he writes. "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." It comes just four months after the 82-year-old Biden left office. The former president's team saying he was diagnosed Friday, after he experienced urinary symptoms and doctors found a nodule on his prostate. They say his cancer has a Gleason score of 9, out of a possible 10. Indicating a more aggressive form of the disease. Medical experts say that means the cancer cells are likely to grow and spread rapidly.
How serious is this diagnosis?
CURT DeVILLE: It is quite serious. (VIDEO SWIPE) Once anyone is diagnosed with metastatic cancer, generally it's going to mean it's uncurable, or very low likelihood of cure.
SCOTT: But doctors say it can be treated and managed with hormone therapy. Something the Bidens say they are exploring. Earlier this month, on "The View," the former president sounding upbeat.
WHOOPI GOLDBERG: My question is, how are you?
JOY BEHAR: How are you doing?
JOE BIDEN: I'm well. The family's well, thank God. Things are moving along. And we're getting squared away.
SCOTT: Cancer has long tested the Biden family in profound ways. The former president spearheading his cancer moonshot, searching for a cure after his son Beau died of brain cancer in 2015 at just 46 years old.
BIDEN: I remember him saying to me, “Dad” -- this is the God’s truth -- “Dad, I'm not afraid, I'm going to be okay.” He knew he was about to die. But he said, “you got to promise me you'll stay involved.”
SCOTT: Tonight, an outpouring of support. Biden's Vice President Kamala Harris saying, "Joe is a fighter. And I know he will face this challenge with the same strength, resilience and optimism that have always defined his life and leadership. Former President Barack Obama noting: "Nobody has done more to find breakthrough treatments for cancer in all its forms than Joe, and I am certain he will fight this challenge with his trademark resolve and grace." Upon hearing the news, President Trump saying he and the First Lady "Extend our warmest and best wishes to Joe and the family, and we wish Joe a fast recovery." Late today, the president shifting in tone, now asking questions.
DONALD TRUMP: I think it's very sad, actually. I'm surprised that it wasn't, you know, the public wasn't notified a long time ago, because to get to stage nine, that's a long time.
SCOTT: Biden's last physical as president was in February of 2024. A White House doctor declaring him “fit for duty”, saying routine tests “identified no new concerns”. The year before, doctors found and removed a cancerous skin lesion on his chest. His medical reports do not indicate whether he was given a PSA test, which detects prostate cancer. But experts say that test is typically not recommended for men older than 70. And the late diagnosis is not unusual in that age group.
DeVILLE: I would say on average, if I see patients at this age, it's a common scenario that they're diagnosed with advanced disease, because very often their PSA was no longer being checked. They were no longer undergoing screening.
MUIR: So let's bring in Rachel Scott, she’s live at The White House tonight. And Rachel, we all know that for years former President Biden made cancer and fighting it, working to find a cure, one of his most important issues. And of course, now the former president finds himself battling the disease faced by millions of Americans every day.
SCOTT: Yes, David, and Biden saying himself today that cancer touches us all. We know the former president is reviewing treatment options, including the option of hormone therapy with his doctors. But medical experts tell us that with a cancer at this stage and this aggressive, surgery is likely not an option, but treatment can help slow the spread of the disease and manage symptoms, David.
MUIR: Our thoughts are with President Biden and his family tonight. Rachel Scott- our thanks to you.
CBS EVENING NEWS
5/19/25
6:38 PM
MAURICE DuBOIS: The news that former President Joe Biden has stage IV prostate cancer that has spread to his bones has some asking whether it could've been diagnosed sooner.
JOHN DICKERSON: I talked today with Dr. Dana Rathkopf, a medical oncologist at New York’s Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. She specializes in prostate cancer.
DANA RATHKOPF: I see prostate cancer almost exclusively. It doesn't follow any one pattern.
DICKERSON: Does I surprise you that it is so advanced and moving so quickly given that he has seen the best doctors possible?
ROTHKOPF: Cancer cells are chaotic. They don't read the guideline rule books, and so our screening guidelines don't necessarily apply to a cancer cells that’s going to decide to grow or invade a particular screening technique. And so, you know, there are many people that have the access to highest levels of care and undergo regular screening and still get diagnosed with advanced disease.
DICKERSON: Given what he has been diagnosed as having, how long would he have had cancer, do you think, before this diagnosis?
ROTHKOPF: I can't really speak to the specifics of President Biden, but I would say that in general, advanced prostate cancer presents in many different ways. You know, it's not really one-size-fits-all.
DICKERSON: It’s stage IV and in the bones, that didn’t start just yesterday.
ROTHKOPF: Typically more aggressive prostate cancer portends a worse prognosis, meaning that patients are at higher risk of having cancer grow quickly, and/or having cancer spread outside of the prostate. And when cancer spreads outside of the prostate to other parts of the body, we consider that metastatic. And so the most common place for prostate cancer to metastasize to is in fact the bone.
DICKERSON: So if you were presented with a person with this case, you wouldn’t say “oh, yeah they missed it?”
ROTHKOPF: No, I would not say that.
DuBOIS: So John. For men over 70 watching this, wondering how does this apply to them? What does the doctor say about that?
DICKERSON: The doctor says she has been getting calls the minute the news broke. First, her point is, don't generalize from a single case, if you are concerned about this, talk to your doctor. She talked about shared decision-making. And she said it's not necessarily the case if you are over 70 that you get a PSA test or a prostate test, because in some cases there can be false positives or the treatment can be worse than living a life with a cancer that’s going to be very slow going, and it may outlive you. So- basically, she said “talk to your doctor.”
DuBois: Solid advice. All right. Thanks, John.
NBC NIGHTLY NEWS
5/19/25
6:31 PM
LESTER HOLT: Good evening and welcome. After informing the world about his prostate cancer diagnosis over the weekend, former President Joe Biden is now facing the very private decision about what's next. His cancer diagnosed last week as an aggressive form that had spread to the bone, according to a spokesperson, discovered as a small nodule in his prostate. Despite the aggressive nature of the disease, experts say his type of cancer, while not curable, may be manageable. Biden led a fight for cancer research, raising tens of millions after the death of his son Beau. Today, the 46th president posting online, “cancer touches us all.” The health revelation coming at the same time Mr. Biden's mental acuity has come under scrutiny again. In a moment, I speak to a doctor about prostate cancer detection and treatment. First, here's Peter Alexander.
PETER ALEXANDER: Tonight, sympathy and support for former President Biden after his office revealed the 82-year-old has an aggressive form of prostate cancer that has spread to his bones. This morning, the former president posting, “cancer touches us all. Like so many of you, Jill and I have learned we're strongest in the broken places. Thank you for lifting us up with love and support.” Biden received the diagnosis Friday after experiencing increasing urinary symptoms, which led doctors to find a small nodule on his prostate. President Trump writing: “Melania and are saddened to hear about Joe Biden's recent medical diagnosis. We wish Joe a fast and successful recovery.” Biden's Vice President Kamala Harris posting, “Joe is a fighter and I know that he'll face this challenge with the same strength, resilience, and optimism that have defined his life and leadership.” A source familiar with Biden and his family’s thinking tells NBC News they’re now assessing multiple treatment options including hormone therapy.
JESSE MILLS: With modern day medical management, this may not shorten his life at all.
ALEXANDER: The diagnosis as Democrats were in the midst of a reckoning following new accounts Biden's aides and allies may have concealed his mental decline as president. Biden recently dismissing those accounts.
JOE BIDEN: They're wrong. There’s nothing to sustain that.
ALEXANDER: Leaked audio clips from his 2023 interview with Special Counsel Robert Hur were released Friday, showing the president at times struggling to recall names and dates.
BIDEN: Well, it was 2013. When did I stop being vice president?
ALEXANDER: Now, some allies are questioning why the cancer was not detected sooner.
EZEKIEL EMANUEL: It’s a little surprising to many of us oncologists that he wasn't diagnosed earlier. He did not develop it in the last 100, 200 days. He had it while he was president.
ALEXANDER: Late today, President Trump raising his own questions.
DONALD TRUMP: Why did it take so long. I mean, when you -- this takes a long time. Could take years to get to this level of danger. So it's -- look, it's a very, very sad situation. I feel very badly about it. And I think people should try and find out what happened.
ALEXANDER: Tonight, friends are sending the former president love and strength.
CHRIS COONS: He'll get through this. He'll fight. But this is hard. I mean, this is a tough diagnosis.
HOLT: And Peter, cancer has tragically personally impacted the Biden family before.
ALEXANDER: Lester, next week will mark ten years since Biden lost his son Beau to brain cancer. And notably, Biden helped launch the Cancer Moonshot Initiative, which helped invest federal money into research projects, projects that created new treatments that could help Biden in his cancer fight now. Lester.
HOLT: Peter Alexander tonight. Peter, thank you.
