Former President Joe Biden emerged publicly for the first time since his heartbreaking cancer announcement to attend his grandson’s high school graduation.
The former president posed for photos with his grandson Robert Hunter Biden II, daughter Ashley and former first lady Jill Biden during the ceremony at Salisbury School in Salisbury, Conn. on Friday.
“Proud Nana and Pop! Congratulations Hunter — we are so proud of you,” Jill Biden captioned one of the photos.
Last week, the former president revealed that he was battling an “aggressive” form of prostate cancer that had metastasized to his bones. The reveal came just days before a bombshell book alleging a “cover-up” about his decline, “Original Sin,” hit bookshelves.
The cancer was diagnosed with a Gleason score of 9, on a scale that goes up to 10.
Robert Hunter Biden II is the 18-year-old son of Hallie and Beau Biden, who died of brain cancer in 2015.
Hallie Biden later had an affair with Hunter Biden, whom she testified had introduced her to crack cocaine when she appeared as one of the star witnesses during his trial last year.
Despite the public drama, Hallie Biden appears to have managed to remain somewhat connected to the Biden family, even though she has since married outside the family to Cincinnati financial broker John Hopkins Anning.
In addition to attending his grandson’s high school graduation, multiple TikTok users posted footage of the former president strolling through an airport, though it’s not entirely clear which one.
Just prior to the Bidens’ appearance at the Salisbury School graduation, the former president was pictured with other family members at the Woodland Restaurant.
“He was so gracious and thoughtful in conversations with staff and guests,” the restaurant claimed on its Instagram. “Congratulations to his grandson on his graduation.”
Shortly after his cancer announcement, the 46th president posted a smiling picture of himself next to Jill and their cat, thanking the public for the tributes.
“Cancer touches us all. Like so many of you, Jill and I have learned that we are strongest in the broken places. Thank you for lifting us up with love and support,” he said.
The former president is reviewing his treatment options and his prostate cancer “appears to be hormone-sensitive, which allows for effective management,” according to his spokesperson.
A spokesperson for the former president later clarified that he hadn’t been officially diagnosed with prostate cancer until May 16 and that he hadn’t been tested for it in over a decade.
The clarification came in response to speculation from doctors that the former president’s prostate cancer had very likely been developing for some time because of how advanced it had gotten.
