Washington, D.C. — Hunter Biden provided an update on the health of his father, former President Joe Biden, during a recent podcast appearance, stating that despite the challenges of treatment, his father is “holding steady” amid his ongoing battle with cancer. The comments, shared on the podcast “Howie Mandel Does Stuff,” were released on October 6, 2026.
Hunter clarified that there is no new diagnosis regarding his father’s health, acknowledging the gravity of the situation. “He has stage four metastatic bone cancer, which is something you learn to live with,” Hunter explained, adding that the regimen of treatment is quite grueling. “It’s like torture,” he remarked, shedding light on the painful nature of his father’s condition.
In a candid conversation, Mandel inquired how Hunter copes with his father’s illness while navigating his own recovery from addiction. The dialogue touched on the intertwined emotions of fear and anxiety that stem from watching a loved one suffer. Hunter expressed that the diagnosis intensifies his anxiety, noting, “The dread I feel for my father makes managing my own feelings harder.”
Hunter Biden, now focused on maintaining his sobriety, articulated the level of consequence his substance use would entail. “If I use, it’s a choice for death,” he emphasized, underscoring his commitment to staying sober one day at a time. Hunter’s struggles with addiction are well-documented, with a previous relapse coming after a lengthy period of sobriety that began in 2010.
Recalling previous moments of vulnerability, Hunter mentioned how a voicemail from his father during his addiction years became a focal point of political attacks, particularly during the 2020 presidential election. He described how conservative media figures sought to frame the recording as evidence of a “weak man” enabling his son. Yet, he noted that rather than diminish his father’s image, it provided space for the former president to express pride in Hunter’s recovery journey.
Joe Biden’s health struggles began to receive public attention when his office announced in May 2025 that he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that had metastasized to his bones. The diagnosis was categorized as high-grade, and subsequent reports indicated the treatment would aim to manage the disease. Jill Biden, the former first lady, publicly stated that her husband would live with cancer for the foreseeable future.
As the former president faces ongoing health challenges, the Biden family continues to reflect on their past losses; Hunter’s brother, Beau, died of brain cancer in 2015. This loss has spurred the former president’s advocacy for cancer research, emphasizing his longstanding commitment to initiatives aimed at combating the disease.
In Hunter’s message, he clarified that his father’s condition remains stable, reinforcing that the family is navigating this difficult chapter one step at a time. The bond shared between father and son remains strong, underpinned by a shared history of love, resilience, and the importance of facing both health challenges and personal battles together.