Bulwark Takes: Joe Biden Diagnosed With “Aggressive Form” of Cancer
Release Date: May 19, 2025

In this emotionally charged episode of Bulwark Takes, hosts Stein, the Managing Editor at The Bulwark, and Andrew Egger, author of Morning Shots, delve into the somber news of former President Joe Biden’s diagnosis with an aggressive form of prostate cancer. Released on May 19, 2025, this episode navigates the multifaceted implications of Biden’s health revelation, intertwining personal empathy with acute political analysis.

1. Breaking the News: Biden’s Diagnosis

The episode opens with Stein addressing the recent announcement regarding Joe Biden’s health:

“Last week President Joe Biden was seen for a new finding of a prostate nodule after experiencing increasing urinary symptoms. On Friday he was diagnosed with prostate cancer characterized by a Gleason score of 9, grade group 5 with metastasis to the bone. While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone sensitive, which allows for effective management. The president and his family are reviewing treatment options with his physicians.”
[01:11]

Stein emphasizes the gravity of the situation, noting the personal and political challenges it presents:

“This was pretty sad news for the ex-president and the people who love him. It's unavoidably coming amid a very difficult stretch for him about his presidency and whether he was fit for service during it.”
[01:30]

2. Humanizing the President

Both hosts express empathy for Biden’s situation, separating personal hardships from political discourse:

“You feel for the guy on a human level, put aside the politics and, and obviously that's totally separate and, and I think ripe for criticism, of course, but it's a tragic thing to happen...”
[02:10]

Andrew Egger adds a layer of compassion, acknowledging the difficulty of addressing such personal matters publicly:

“It's difficult to do a counterfactual, but I think you might have seen a different story. I mean, like, if the president had publicly been diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer, that's the kind of thing people kind of wrap their heads around.”
[09:06]

3. The Intersection of Health and Politics

The conversation shifts to the broader implications of Biden’s health on his presidency and political legacy:

“We’re not at a place where we’re totally comfortable reporting on or talking about age and how it impacts politics... it's something that we need to get over and talk more frankly about.”
[02:45]

Stein critiques Biden’s decision to seek a second term, linking it to his health challenges:

“He should have never announced he was running for a second term... you're at a heightened risk for things like this to happen. You're rolling the dice.”
[05:27]

Andrew reflects on the complexities faced by aging leaders:

“I can still do it. I’m still there.”
[07:41]

4. Consequences for Political Figures

The discussion explores the ripple effects of Biden’s diagnosis on his administration and Vice President Kamala Harris:

“It just underscores again the difficulty that Kamala Harris has now, like in terms of her political future. Just because she more than anybody else was in the room working with him...”
[12:15]

Both hosts contemplate the precarious position Harris finds herself in, balancing loyalty and the need to address public concerns about leadership continuity.

5. Reflections on Legacy and Historical Impact

As the episode nears its conclusion, Stein and Andrew ponder the long-term ramifications of Biden’s health on his legacy:

“He is likely not going to live to know what his legacy is... it is a tragedy that... we don't know whether he'll be around to ultimately see how history judges him.”
[14:05]

Andrew underscores the unpredictability of Biden’s legacy in light of recent events:

“If Donald Trump totally crashes the United States... then Joe Biden's legacy is enabling that to happen... If we get back on the rails, maybe Biden’s ultimate legacy is a lot of the good work that he got done while he was president.”
[14:05]

6. Concluding Thoughts

Stein wraps up the discussion by highlighting the delicate nature of the topic and thanking Andrew:

“Andre, thank you so much, man. Really appreciate it. To the viewers, I appreciate your understanding of this very delicate conversation.”
[15:32]

Key Takeaways

• Personal vs. Political: The episode skillfully balances empathy for Biden’s personal health battle with a critical analysis of its political implications.

• Age and Leadership: A significant portion of the conversation centers on the challenges and taboos associated with aging leaders in high office.

• Legacy Uncertain: Biden’s diagnosis casts uncertainty on his political legacy, leaving observers to ponder how history will ultimately judge his presidency.

• Impact on Vice Presidency: Kamala Harris faces renewed scrutiny and pressure as Biden’s health issues come to light, complicating her political trajectory.

This episode of Bulwark Takes provides a comprehensive and nuanced exploration of a pivotal moment in American political discourse, offering listeners profound insights into the intersection of personal health and national leadership.