On May 30, 2025, former President Joe Biden made his first public appearance since announcing his Stage 4 prostate cancer diagnosis, speaking at a Memorial Day event at Veterans Memorial Park in New Castle, Delaware.
event, held four days after the federal holiday, coincided with the 10th anniversary of the death of his son, Beau Biden, who died of glioblastoma on May 30, 2015. Biden honored fallen service members, emphasizing their sacrifice for American democracy and urging the audience to defend the nation’s founding ideals. He stated, “Our troops do not wear a uniform that says I’m a Democrat or I’m a Republican. It says, I am an American,” and highlighted the personal significance of the day, noting, “Memorial Day is about something profound.”
Biden did not address his health but appeared energetic despite occasional coughing, delivering a speech that criticized the nation’s divided politics and called for renewing the commitment to honor veterans. The event was attended by family, friends, and Delaware officials, including Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester and Rep. Sarah McBride.