Joe Biden used a Sunday evening update about his cancer diagnosis and upcoming memoir to deliver a veiled swipe at President Trump following the midterms. Trump was not named, but Biden’s closing language about tyrants and dictators made the political jab the statement’s unmistakable finale, as reported [1] by The Gateway Pundit.
Biden announced that his presidential memoir, “PROMISE ME, AMERICA,” will be released on November 17th. He asked Americans to read the book, which he said covers his time in the White House and the decisions he made as president.
“My presidential memoir, PROMISE ME, AMERICA, is coming out on November 17th. I hope you’ll read it,” Biden said.
Biden, who is turning 84 in a couple of weeks, said his health would limit how much public promotion he could do for the memoir. The cancer has not stopped him, according to his statement, but it has slowed him down on some days.
In March 2025, Biden announced that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer. He said the diagnosis came while he was writing the memoir, placing his cancer fight alongside his account of his presidential years.
“While writing the book, I was diagnosed with cancer, a disease known all too well to millions of Americans and their families,” Biden said. He also offered a favorable update about his response to treatment.
“My doctors continue to be encouraged by how I’ve responded to treatment. And the prayers and kind words and well wishes from so many of you have meant more to me and Jill and our family than you can ever know,” Biden said.
Biden acknowledged that his condition has affected his daily pace. “Some days are better than others. It hasn’t stopped me,” he said.
“But sometimes it slows me down,” Biden continued. He then explained that the illness would prevent him from participating in as many discussions about the memoir as he had originally planned.
“What that means is, unfortunately, I won’t be able to do as many conversations about my book as I’d hoped,” Biden said. Rather than mounting a full promotional schedule, he expressed hope that the book itself would carry his message.
“However, I’m hopeful the words on the page speak for themselves,” Biden said.
The memoir, according to Biden, addresses the challenges that arose during his presidency, the choices he made, and his reasoning behind those choices. He described it as an account of the country’s identity, principles, and role beyond its borders.
“It covers my years as President. The challenges we faced, the decisions I made, and why I made them,” Biden said.
Biden also framed the book as an expression of confidence in the American people. He said it concerns “the great American experiment in self-governance and democracy,” language that set up the broader political message closing his statement.
Looking ahead, Biden cited advice from his father about getting back up after being knocked down. “Looking forward, I’m going to keep following what my father told me a long time ago: ‘Champ, when you get knocked down, get up.’”
“It’s a good lesson for me. And for America,” Biden added.
The statement then shifted from Biden’s personal health fight to a sweeping description of the United States. “We are blessed. America is the most unique nation on earth,” he said.
“Unlike other countries, we’re built on an idea. An idea bigger than any ocean,” Biden continued.
Biden closed with the line that served as the veiled shot at Trump, though he never mentioned the president by name. “More powerful than any army. Stronger than any tyrant or dictator.”
He finished by identifying equality as the central American idea he had been describing. “That idea? All of us are created equal.”
I want to share a brief update.
My presidential memoir, PROMISE ME, AMERICA, is coming out on November 17th. I hope you’ll read it. It covers my years as President. The challenges we faced, the decisions I made, and why I made them. It’s about who we are as a nation. What we stand for. And America’s role in the world. More than anything, it’s about my faith in the American people and the great American experiment in self-governance and democracy.
While writing the book, I was diagnosed with cancer, a disease known all too well to millions of Americans and their families. My doctors continue to be encouraged by how I’ve responded to treatment. And the prayers and kind words and well wishes from so many of you have meant more to me and Jill and our family than you can ever know.
Some days are better than others. It hasn’t stopped me. But sometimes it slows me down. What that means is, unfortunately, I won’t be able to do as many conversations about my book as I’d hoped. However, I’m hopeful the words on the page speak for themselves.
Looking forward, I’m going to keep following what my father told me a long time ago: “Champ, when you get knocked down, get up.” It’s a good lesson for me. And for America.
We are blessed. America is the most unique nation on earth. Unlike other countries, we’re built on an idea. An idea bigger than any ocean. More powerful than any army. Stronger than any tyrant or dictator. That idea? All of us are created equal.
Promise Me, America, we’ll never forget it.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) November 8, 2026 [3]
The update therefore carried two messages from Biden, one about his health and limited ability to promote his November memoir, and another aimed squarely at the political moment. Even while discussing cancer treatment, Biden still found room for one more thinly disguised Trump swipe.