Editorial: Missing from comments about Joe Biden’s cancer: A simple show of support

An announcement was made Sunday that Joe Biden has prostate cancer that’s in an advanced stage and has spread to his bones.

We join those who wish the former president, his family and supporters the best as they deal with the news. The revelation that a person has cancer can be devastating. Fortunately, prostate cancer is one of the most common forms of the disease; doctors describe it as treatable although it isn’t curable. Biden is 82 years old, but many people have lived many years following prostate cancer diagnosis. We hope he has many fruitful years ahead of him.

Notably, and sadly, Biden’s condition itself isn’t the only element of this story. A second is the apparent lack of simple civility that we normally see when we receive such news about a person. Alarmingly few people have simply wished the guy well; most statements in that regard, even from Democratic Party officials and other supporters, have been laden with accusations and political comments.

It’s noteworthy that one of the few statements we’ve seen that were simple, pointed good wishes came from President Donald Trump, who perhaps has been his predecessor’s harshest critic.

“Melania and I are saddened to hear about Joe Biden’s recent medical diagnosis,” Trump, or someone authorized to post comments to his account, stated. “We extend our warmest and best wishes to Jill and the family, and we wish Joe a fast and successful recovery.”

That’s all it took.

To be sure, Trump has since renewed his attacks, suggesting that Biden’s condition must have been known for a long time and hidden from the public. Trump suggested that Biden might have been incapacitated during his term and underlings had run the country.

But at least Trump offered an initial statement that focused on a former president who is dealing with a major health crisis; no other issues clouded that message.

Certainly, other commentators and public figures have wished Biden well, but not without extraneous comments.

Many like Trump have questioned whether the diagnosis is actually new or if it had been known for some time but kept from public disclosure, with or without news media’s cooperation. Whether he should have abandoned his reelection campaign sooner and given his party a better chance of success in November’s elections. Some have suggested that the announcement was timed to elicit public sympathy at a time when tell-all books from former Biden staffers are starting to hit the market. Others have used it to rail against DOGE cuts that have affected cancer and other medical research.

Of course, such issues are valid and can be explored. Medical infirmity doesn’t exempt Biden or anyone else from valid evaluations of their performance and related issues.

But when a person faces a major challenge, we should be able to put such matters aside for a moment and offer a simple, direct expression of support.

We would expect the same for President Trump, even from his critics, if he faced a similar challenge.

Our nation’s political and social atmosphere has become increasingly aggressive and accusatory. Playing hardball is fine, but we needn’t, and shouldn’t, lose our basic sense of humanity in the process.

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