Former US President Joe Biden honors late son Beau, criticizes Trump over health funding, appears with bandage on head at Nebraska event.
Former US President Joe Biden, appearing with a bandage on his head, delivered a heartfelt speech at the Nebraska Democratic Party’s Ben Nelson Gala on Friday November 7, 2025, saying his late son, Beau Biden, “should’ve been the President, not me.”
Speaking to party supporters, Biden connected his remarks about Beau, who died from brain cancer in 2015, to broader concerns about healthcare and government funding under the current administration. He sharply criticized President Donald Trump, accusing him and Republican lawmakers of cutting funds for cancer research and healthcare.
“Folks, I know what cancer research means,” Biden told the audience. “Cancer hits every family. It’s hit my family hard.” He recounted his eldest son’s service as Delaware’s attorney general and his deployment to Iraq, saying Beau returned with stage four glioblastoma linked to exposure in burn pits, a condition that ultimately led to his death.
Biden also referenced his own ongoing health challenges, including his stage four prostate cancer diagnosis earlier this year, highlighting medical advances that have aided his treatment. “Well, thank God for the doctors and nurses and incredible breakthroughs we’re making in cancer research,” he said.
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Pivoting to political critique, Biden argued that healthcare costs are rising due to budget cuts under the current administration. “Now, Trump and his Republican friends are cutting government funding for health care, making it more expensive,” he told the crowd.
The former President, who will turn 83 on November 20, 2025, appeared with a fresh bandage on the top-left portion of his head. The reason for the new dressing was not immediately disclosed. Biden had previously undergone Mohs surgery for skin cancer in August, after which he was seen publicly with a bandage on a different part of his head.
The Nebraska appearance allowed Biden to combine personal reflection with political messaging, emphasizing the human impact of healthcare policy while honoring Beau’s legacy. Party attendees described the remarks as moving, noting the emotional weight behind his references to family loss and public service.
Biden’s comments also underscored his continued engagement in political discourse, blending personal narratives with critiques of current federal policies, as he campaigns for issues central to the Democratic Party ahead of upcoming election cycles.
Africa Daily News, New York
