Joe Biden has said he “has cancer” during a speech on climate change in an apparent error.
Mr Biden, speaking about the emissions from oil refineries near his home in Claymont, Delaware, said that he and “many other people I grew up with have cancer”.
Mr Biden said: “That’s why I and so damn many other people I grew up with have cancer and why for the longest time Delaware had the highest cancer rate in the nation.”
Joe Biden
Reuters
The White House has since clarified Mr Biden's comments
KEVIN LAMARQUE
But White House spokesman Andrew Bates was quick to clarify his comments, referring to a tweet which said that Mr Biden had “non-melanoma skin cancers” removed before he took office.
It remains unclear as to why Mr Biden used the present tense during his speech.
In a health summary about Mr Biden which was published in 2021 said: "It is well-established that President Biden did spend a good deal of time in the sun in his youth.
“He has had several localised, non-melanoma skin cancers removed with Mohs surgery before he started his presidency.
“These lesions were completely excised, with clear margins.
"Total body skin exam was performed for dermatologic surveillance.
“Several small areas of actinic change were treated with liquid nitrogen cryotherapy, but there are no areas suspicious for skin cancer at this time.
“No biopsies were required.”
