Election promise

Biden wants to “cure cancer” while still in office

Joe Biden definitely does not want to be a "lame duck" in the remaining six months of his term of office, but wants to fulfill some campaign promises.(Bild: APA/AP)

Following his withdrawal from the current election campaign, US President Joe Biden wants to devote himself fully to his office in the White House. He still has a lot planned, as he announced in his speech to the nation on Wednesday. Among other things, he wants to "cure cancer" and end the war in the Gaza Strip.

The 81-year-old US President had reportedly decided not to run again against former President Donald Trump in November's election following a botched TV debate against Trump and ongoing discussions about his physical and mental fitness for a second term in office. Biden subsequently declared his support for Harris' candidacy. However, in addition to supporting the new Democratic candidate - with everything currently pointing to a nomination for Kamala Harris - the incumbent would like to use his last months as head of state to make good on some of his election promises.

Joe Biden definitely does not want to be a "lame duck" in the remaining six months of his term of office, but wants to keep some of his election promises.(Bild: APA/AP)

Also wants to keep NATO together
"In the next six months, I will focus on fulfilling my role as president," said Biden. He called for a reform of the Supreme Court, without giving details. In terms of foreign policy, he reaffirmed his continued support for Ukraine and his commitment to ending the war in Gaza. He would continue to fight against the climate crisis and keep NATO together.

He also said he would continue to work on lowering prices for consumers, boosting the economy and defending personal freedoms and civil rights. He also reminded the audience of his "Cancer Moonshot" project. The term "moonshot" is particularly widespread in the start-up scene and describes extraordinary projects or unusually ambitious ideas that seem almost unattainable.

Joe and Jill Biden are hugely committed to cancer research.(Bild: APA/AFP/Chris Kleponis)

In fact, the goals that Biden and his team have set themselves in the fight against cancer are very ambitious. The project website states that the US government wants to "end cancer as we currently know it". By this, the White House means, among other things, the development of therapies and diagnostic options that will make the disease less deadly than it is today. Among other things, the death rate from various types of cancer is to be halved by 2045.

Election campaign speech: "We will cure cancer"
During his election campaign in 2020, Biden had already announced that as President he would "cure cancer" (see also video below). He still wants to fulfill this campaign promise.

Biden's son died of a brain tumor
Among other things, Biden set up a "Cancer Cabinet" and founded a new scientific institution to advance research in this field and, for example, to ensure that cancer is diagnosed earlier. The fight against cancer is also a personal concern of the President, as his son Beau died in 2015 at the age of 46 from a malignant brain tumor known as glioblastoma.