Biden Stumbles During Chicago Gala Speech Amid Growing Concerns Over Health

Former President Joe Biden appeared visibly disoriented and slurred his words during a black-tie event in Chicago on Thursday night, fueling renewed concerns about his health and public appearances just months after revealing his battle with aggressive prostate cancer.

Biden, 82, was honored at the 100th annual awards gala of the National Bar Association, the largest network of predominantly Black lawyers and judges in the country.

He received the organization’s highest award, the C. Francis Stradford Award, but the evening quickly shifted focus from recognition to concern as attendees watched the former president struggle to maintain composure during his appearance.

According to footage and eyewitness reports, Biden was greeted with a standing ovation as he slowly made his way onto the stage, escorted by two of his granddaughters.

He shook hands with the event’s emcee before appearing momentarily confused as he turned in the wrong direction and looked around for his seat. Others on the stage quietly guided him back to his chair, where he slumped into the seat and flashed an awkward smile before making finger-gun gestures toward the audience.

His speech later that evening lasted about 20 minutes and was marked by repeated stumbles, slurred sentences, and lengthy pauses. At times, Biden appeared to lose his train of thought while attempting to discuss civil rights and the political challenges facing minority communities.

“These are dark days,” Biden said at one point, “but you’re all here for the same reason I left that prestigious law firm to go to the defender’s office years ago. It’s because our future is literally on the line and we must be unapologetic of fighting for the future.”

He also made a self-deprecating joke about his age, stating, “When I was elected [in 1972], I had the dubious distinction to be elected the youngest senator in American history and the oldest president in American history. It’s hell turning 40 twice.”

While the line drew polite laughter from the audience, the overall tone of the evening was overshadowed by growing concern over the president’s visible frailty.

Since leaving office in January, Biden has kept a relatively low profile, making few public appearances and officially announcing in the spring that he would not seek a second term.

His decision came as questions about his physical and cognitive health intensified. In May, Biden’s office confirmed that he had been diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer, a stage 4 condition that has spread to his bones.

The announcement shocked many, especially as prior White House communications had described the condition as a “small nodule” that required monitoring.

Biden’s health status has since become a topic of quiet concern among Democrats and open scrutiny among Republicans and conservative commentators.

Earlier this year, former White House physician Rep. Ronny Jackson, who served under both Presidents Obama and Trump, stated in an interview that Biden’s condition was likely far more serious than initially disclosed.

“This is not my area of specialty, but I have spoken to multiple urologists since this came out, and the general consensus is like, you know, it could be 12 to 18 months,” Jackson said.

“Hopefully it’s longer than that, and I hope that they’re able to treat this effectively, and he lives many, many more years. But it’s far advanced.”

Jackson also noted that Biden may have known about the diagnosis for some time prior to the official announcement, raising further concerns about transparency during his presidency.

The gala event in Chicago featured a roster of progressive legal and political figures, including Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Texas, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford, Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, and New York Attorney General Letitia James. MSNBC commentator Joy-Ann Reid also participated in the evening’s events.

Biden used the occasion to revisit his civil rights legacy, touting his record on racial justice, judicial appointments, and defending marginalized communities. He also took swipes at the Trump administration, which he accused of launching an “existential assault” on minority rights and democratic institutions.

However, his delivery at times undercut the gravity of his message. Throughout the speech, Biden slurred several words, and appeared to struggle with sentence structure, leading to unclear or unfinished statements.

Some in the audience looked visibly uncomfortable as the former president tried to regain his footing on multiple occasions.

The National Bar Association did not comment publicly on Biden’s performance, but many legal professionals and attendees acknowledged the emotional weight of seeing the former president in such a fragile state.

Outside the gala, political reaction was swift. Critics quickly circulated video clips of Biden’s speech on social media, calling it another sign that the former president is in no condition to resume any form of public leadership.

Some pundits also renewed questions about whether the full truth of Biden’s health was being disclosed to the public during his final months in office.

Supporters defended the president, noting that anyone battling stage 4 cancer should be commended for showing up to support civil rights and justice. They argued that his message, not his delivery, should be the focus of the evening. Still, concern within Democratic circles appears to be growing.

With the 2026 midterm elections on the horizon and internal tensions simmering over the direction of the Democratic Party, Biden’s health remains a key factor in broader party planning.

Vice President Kamala Harris has largely assumed public leadership duties, but her defeat to Donald Trump in a landslide election has left the party without a clear national standard-bearer.

The appearance in Chicago was one of the few times Biden has spoken publicly since that election loss. While it was meant to celebrate his lifelong commitment to civil rights, the speech ultimately raised more questions than answers.

Many are now left wondering whether Biden will make additional public appearances in the coming months—or whether Thursday’s gala was a final farewell for a president whose long public career appears to be drawing to a quiet, if troubling, end.