Biden to scale back promotion of upcoming memoir, citing advancing cancer, according to multiple outlets

President Joe Biden said he will limit promotion for his upcoming White House memoir, Promise Me America, citing advancing cancer, according to reporting published Nov. 9. Multiple outlets said Biden made the comments in a social media post on Sunday night, describing how the illness has affected his ability to travel and participate in events connected to the book.

Biden’s memoir, Promise Me America, is scheduled to be released on Nov. 17, with outlets describing it as an account of a one-term presidency. Reporting also characterized the book as covering major episodes from the Biden administration, including the Jan. 6, 2021, attack and his administration’s response to COVID-19.

According to the outlets, Biden said the cancer is “slowing” him down and that he would therefore undertake only limited promotion. The reports described the decision as a reduction rather than a full cancellation of public activities, with the scope of remaining appearances framed as constrained by his health.

The announcements come as Biden’s post-White House activities have continued to intersect with political and public-interest themes. Promoting a memoir can involve interviews, book tours, and media events, and the decision to reduce those engagements, as described by outlets, is likely to affect the timing and visibility of the book’s rollout.

In addition to the health-related rationale, outlets said Biden’s post pointed to the practical impact of his condition on scheduling. While specific dates or venues for the limited promotion were not detailed in the Guardian summary, the reports collectively indicated that Biden expects his ability to participate in planned engagements to be curtailed.