Rhianna Benson
Donald Trump's eldest son has come under fire online for his official response to news that Joe Biden has been diagnosed with prostate cancer.
A representative of the former Democratic leader, 82 - who left the White House back in January - revealed Biden's cancer diagnosis on Sunday (18 May), describing his form of the disease as 'aggressive'.
"Last week, President Joe Biden was seen for a new finding of a prostate nodule after experiencing increasing urinary symptoms," the statement read. "On Friday, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, characterised by a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5) with metastasis to the bone.
"While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive which allows for effective management."
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The message concluded: "The president and his family are reviewing treatment options with his physicians."
In the hours following the announcement, both President Trump and his son, Donald Jr, issued their responses.
The 78-year-old Republican leader penned on Truth Social last night: "Melania and I are saddened to hear about Joe Biden’s recent medical diagnosis. We extend our warmest and best wishes to Jill and the family, and we wish Joe a fast and successful recovery."
Meanwhile, Donald Jr, however, took a different approach, which critics later branded 'disgraceful'.
The 47-year-old shared his initial response on X (formerly Twitter), by resharing an image that read 'BREAKING: Joe Biden has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. Politics aside, we wish him a speedy recovery!', and adding the caption 'Agreed 100%'.
Later, however, Trump Jr went on to massively misconstrue Biden's diagnosis, whilst also seemingly pointing blame at Jill Biden.
Responding to a separate tweet posted by an online medic, the father-of-five inappropriately questioned: "What I want to know is how did Dr. Jill Biden miss stage five metastatic cancer or is this yet another coverup???"
Trump Jr was later slammed by critics who pointed out that he'd incorrectly interpreted Biden's diagnosis to mean stage 5, as opposed to 'Grade Group 5'.
In actuality, according to Dr Alexander Kutikov - the chair of the Department of Urology at the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, who spoke to NBC10 today - Biden's diagnosis actually classifies as stage 4.
Trump Jr's critics also called out the multi-millionaire for seemingly attempting to shame Jill Biden what is likely a heartbreaking situation for the family, with one writing online: "You're a disgrace."
Another questioned: "Why would someone with a doctorate in education know about prostate cancer before medical professionals?"
"You should delete this tweet. It is without charity and does not do your family proud," a third noted, while a fourth said: "This is in really bad taste even for you."
A fifth slammed: "Don Jr.’s comment is pure filth. Mocking a man’s cancer and blaming his wife, who’s not even a medical doctor, shows just how low and shallow he is.
"'Stage five'? It's Grade Group 5, bonehead. This isn’t politics. It’s cruelty. Ugly, dumb, and vile. Nothing else to call it."
Another wrote: "You are slime. Absolute slime. How would you feel if your father got cancer?
"Think about it. Every person is different, Jr."