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In the wake of former President Joe Biden's prostate cancer diagnosis, Donald Trump Jr. caused controversy by attacking former First Lady Jill Biden's educational background and hinting at a potential cover-up of his health. "What I want to know is how Dr. Jill Biden missed stage five metastatic cancer, or is this yet another coverup???" Trump Jr. wrote on X (formerly Twitter), sparking a storm of online controversy. His remarks followed the former President's private office statement that the 82-year-old had been diagnosed with prostate cancer, with symptoms of metastasis to the bone. Although the disease is aggressive, it is said to be hormone-sensitive, and this provides the doctors with optimism regarding treatability. 

Is Jill Biden a Doctor?

Jill Biden, frequently called "Dr. Jill Biden", has a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in educational leadership but not a medical degree. She received her Ed.D. from the University of Delaware in 2007, after a Bachelor's in English and two master's degrees—one in Education from West Chester University and another in English from Villanova University. While some on social media accused her of medical negligence, others pointed out that an academic title in education does not equate to a medical qualification, and therefore does not make her responsible for diagnosing or managing the President’s health conditions.

Who Is Jill Biden?

Jill Tracy Jacobs was born on June 3, 1951, in Hammonton, New Jersey. She grew up in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania. She met Joe Biden in 1975 and wed him two years later, becoming a stepmother to Beau and Hunter Biden. Dr. Biden has been a classroom teacher for more than 30 years, still teaching English while her husband was Vice President and President. She now teaches at Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA).

While not a practicing physician, Jill Biden has been a cancer advocate and awareness person for many years:
• She established the Biden Breast Health Initiative in 1993 with an emphasis on early education and prevention.
• After the loss of their son Beau Biden to brain cancer in 2015, she and Joe Biden were instrumental in launching the Cancer Moonshot as part of the Obama administration.
• As First Lady, she renewed the Cancer Moonshot Initiative in 2022 to further continue the fight against cancer.

Also read: What Biden’s Prostate Cancer Diagnosis Means: Can It Be Cured? Doctors Explain

Donald Trump Jr.'s post has been greeted with a mix of responses online. Critics attacked him for politicising a serious medical condition, while supporters resonated with his doubts over transparency on Biden's health. Most users were quick to come to Jill Biden's defense, highlighting her level of education, public service, and advocacy in the cancer community. While the question "Is Jill Biden a doctor?" might pull people in, the answer is in recognising the distinction between academic and medical doctorates.

Also read: Joe Biden Diagnosed With ‘Aggressive’ Prostate Cancer: What Took His Son Now Threatens Him | A Look at Beau Biden’s Last Days