**Biden Optimistic Following Aggressive Prostate Cancer Diagnosis**

Former President Joseph R. Biden Jr. expressed optimism on Friday regarding his recent diagnosis and treatment for an aggressive form of prostate cancer, which he announced publicly in May. Speaking at an event honoring veterans in New Castle, Delaware, Mr. Biden shared that he is "feeling good" and that his medical team remains hopeful about his prognosis.

"The prognosis is good," Mr. Biden stated. “We’re working on everything. All the folks are optimistic,” he added, noting that one of the surgeons treating him had received a similar diagnosis 32 years ago.

During the event, which marked the 10th anniversary of his son Beau’s passing, Mr. Biden was accompanied by Beau's son, Robert Biden II, who recently graduated from high school. It was Mr. Biden's first public appearance since the announcement of his illness, which included the revelation that the cancer had metastasized to his bone.

Mr. Biden divulged that his treatment regimen involved taking a single daily pill. "The expectation is we're going to be able to beat this," he emphasized.

The former president’s cancer was assigned a Gleason score of 9, indicative of its high level of aggressiveness. At 82, Mr. Biden holds the record as the oldest-serving president in American history, having left office in January.

Addressing a new book by journalists Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson, titled "Original Sin," which discusses his advisers’ management of his age-related limitations during the lead-up to the 2024 election, Mr. Biden responded with humor. "You can see that I'm mentally incompetent and I can't walk," he joked, adding that he "could beat the hell out of both of" the authors.

Responding to questions about criticism from some Democrats regarding his decision to run for re-election, Mr. Biden pointed out that no one had opposed him. "Why didn't anyone run against me then?" he quipped.

Reflecting on his tenure, Mr. Biden expressed pride in his accomplishments and remarked, "I put my record as president against any president at all." He also cited leading presidential historians who ranked his term highly while noting that President Trump was rated last.

Mr. Biden closed by acknowledging the challenging times the nation and the world are currently facing. "I think that this is one of those inflection points in history," he said, emphasizing the significance of the current moment.