Former U.S. President Joe Biden's latest public appearance-with a fresh head bandage and an emotional comment about his late son-has reignited questions about his health and political fitness as the 82-year-old faces renewed public scrutiny.
At a Democratic fundraising gala in Nebraska on November 7, Biden appeared with a visible medical dressing on his forehead, drawing immediate attention from the crowd and sparking speculation online. His team later confirmed that the bandage followed a recent skin cancer procedure, part of an ongoing treatment regimen that has raised broader concerns over the former president's physical resilience.
Biden's remarks at the Nebraska Democratic Party's Ben Nelson Gala further amplified the moment. Delivering a tribute to his son, Beau Biden, the former president made an emotional declaration that quickly circulated across media platforms. "When the love of my life, my oldest son, the attorney general of the state of Delaware-who should've been the president, not me-volunteered to go to Iraq for a year, didn't have to, he came back with stage four glioblastoma because he lived in a burn pit just like those guys did on 9/11, and he died," Biden said.
The remark drew both sympathy and concern. Supporters viewed it as an expression of paternal grief, while critics interpreted it as another sign of cognitive fatigue amid his advanced age and ongoing medical challenges.
Biden's reference to toxic exposure reignited attention on his longstanding advocacy for veterans suffering from burn pit-related illnesses. The former president had signed the PACT Act in 2022, expanding healthcare access for service members exposed to hazardous substances during deployments.
However, the visible signs of his recent Mohs surgery-a procedure typically performed to remove skin cancer lesions-became the focal point of media coverage. The outpatient operation, known for its precision and success rate exceeding 99 percent for common skin cancers, was reportedly conducted in September to remove carcinoma from Biden's forehead.
This latest procedure follows a string of health disclosures from the former president in recent years. In May 2025, Biden's office confirmed that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer, revealing that the disease had "metastasized to his bones." According to the official medical report, the cancer carried a Gleason score of 9, which oncologists classify as highly aggressive. Still, his physicians noted that it remained "hormone-sensitive," allowing for manageable treatment.
While Biden has maintained a reduced public schedule, his medical transparency has been met with mixed reactions. The White House has described his condition as "under control," yet each new appearance fuels debate about his long-term capacity for public engagement.
