Read · November 8, 2026

Former President Joe Biden scales back the book tour for his memoir Promise Me, America, saying cancer slows him down

• From the LeftNBC News: Biden says cancer treatment slows him down and he will do fewer events for his memoir out Nov. 17.

  Biden says cancer slows him down and he will do fewer events for his memoir, out Nov. 17.

  Grade: B (88/100). Lehrer score 88/100 (starts at 85; +4 named, on-record sources (2+): Joe Biden, Hunter Biden and Jill Biden quoted by name; +3 primary document linked or cited (filing, ruling, data release, statement): Biden's X post and the publisher, Hachette Book Group; +2 context: background or what came before: his 2024 decision to step aside; −6 unlabeled claim, analysis or opinion in the outlet's own voice (rule 2/10): "his age and health were a source of concern for much of his time in office" in its own voice with no source). Fixed scale: 90+ A, 80s B, 70s C, 60s D, under 60 F → B.

• CenterNewsweek: Newsweek traces Biden's diagnosis and treatment since May 2025 and his new book tour limits.

  Newsweek traces Biden's diagnosis and treatment since May 2025 and his new book tour limits.

  Grade: B (83/100). Lehrer score 83/100 (starts at 85; +4 named, on-record sources (2+): Biden, spokesperson Kelly Scully, Jill Biden and Hunter Biden quoted by name; +3 primary document linked or cited (filing, ruling, data release, statement): his office's May 2025 statement: "Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5)"; +2 key numbers sourced: Gleason scale sourced to Mayo Clinic; +4 other side quoted or given its response: "Biden's team has denied any cover-up"; +2 context: background or what came before: treatment timeline since May 2025; −6 unlabeled claim, analysis or opinion in the outlet's own voice (rule 2/10): "one of the plainest admissions he has made of what the past 18 months have cost him" in its own voice; −6 unlabeled claim, analysis or opinion in the outlet's own voice (rule 2/10): "It is an unusual thing for a politician to say" in its own voice; −5 unnamed source on a side point, or a figure with no stated source (rule 11): "Critics from both parties have questioned" with no one named). Fixed scale: 90+ A, 80s B, 70s C, 60s D, under 60 F → B.

• From the RightFox News: Fox quotes Biden's X post at length: fewer conversations about the memoir, Promise Me, America.

  Fox quotes Biden's X post at length: fewer conversations about the memoir, Promise Me, America.

  Grade: B (82/100). Lehrer score 82/100 (starts at 85; +2 one named, on-record source: Biden quoted from his X post; +3 primary document linked or cited (filing, ruling, data release, statement): Biden's X post quoted at length; +2 context: background or what came before: what the memoir covers; −4 loaded word or phrase in the outlet's own voice (rule 2/7/13): in-text headline "BIDEN CONSPICUOUSLY ABSENT FROM CAMPAIGN TRAIL"; −6 leaves out a fact or voice the other two pieces report / one side only (rule 5/13): leaves out Hunter Biden's account that the cancer has spread, which NBC and Newsweek both report (Fox gives only a linked headline)). Fixed scale: 90+ A, 80s B, 70s C, 60s D, under 60 F → B.

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