Joe Biden says late son Beau ‘should’ve been president, not me’ as he slams Trump amid shutdown

OMAHA, NEBRASKA: Joe Biden attended the Democratic Party’s 2026 Ben Nelson Gala, where he delivered a speech sharply criticizing President Donald Trump’s leadership, as per The New York Post.

While highlighting the threats he believes Trump poses to democracy, Biden also brought up his late son, Beau Biden, who died from brain cancer, using his memory to underscore the stakes and criticize Trump. He remarked that his eldest son deserved the chance to serve as president.

Biden also used his son’s example to criticize Trump, saying he had failed on healthcare and accusing him of “cutting government funding for cancer research,” even after the Democratic administration had made it a “priority.”

Joe Biden says son Beau ‘should’ve been president'

Wearing what appeared to be a fresh bandage on his head, former President Joe Biden told Nebraska Democrats on Friday that his late son, Beau, should have been elected president in 2020 instead of him. He recalled the impact of funding cuts on cancer research following his son’s death in 2015.

“Folks, I know what cancer research means,” Biden said at the Nebraska Democratic Party’s Ben Nelson Gala. “Cancer hits every family. It’s hit my family hard.” He went on, “When the love of my life, my oldest son, the attorney general of the state of Delaware - who should’ve been the president, not me."

He continued, "He volunteered to go to Iraq for a year, didn’t have to, he came back with stage four glioblastoma because he lived in a burn pit just like those guys did on 9/11, and he died.”

Biden also took aim at Trump and congressional Republicans, saying, “Now, Trump and his Republican friends are cutting government funding for health care, making it more expensive.” His remarks come amid the nation’s longest government shutdown, fueled by disputes over health care subsidies.

Joe Biden’s fresh bandage draws attention during Nebraska speech

Speaking about the bandage on Joe Biden’s head, the reason for it hasn’t been disclosed. It sits on the right side of his skull and blends in with his skin tone. He also talked about his recent prostate cancer diagnosis, just weeks after finishing radiation treatment, using his experience to emphasize the importance of good healthcare.

“When they diagnose it, in my case, I just had prostate cancer and you finish that round of treatment, you get to ring that bell at the end of each session,” he said.  “Well, thank God for the doctors and nurses and the incredible breakthroughs we’re making in cancer research.”