Former U.S. President Donald Trump has pledged to intervene personally to help cartoonist Scott Adams, the creator of the comic strip Dilbert, secure faster access to his cancer treatment after the artist publicly appealed for assistance.
Adams, 68, revealed in May that he is battling advanced prostate cancer that has spread to his bones and that doctors have given him only months to live. In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, Adams said his healthcare provider, Kaiser Permanente, had “dropped the ball” in scheduling an intravenous infusion of Pluvicto — a radioligand therapy used for treating prostate cancer.
“I’ll be asking President Trump to help me get Kaiser to respond and schedule it for Monday,” Adams wrote. “That will give me a fighting chance to stick around on this planet a little bit longer.”
Trump responded hours later on Truth Social, writing, “On it!” alongside a screenshot of Adams’ message. Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr., also shared Adams’ post, saying, “Going to make sure my dad sees this. We’re all praying for you—keep fighting!” Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. similarly commented, “Scott. How do I reach you? The President wants to help.”
It remains unclear what influence Trump might exert in the matter. Kaiser Permanente told Reuters that Adams’ oncology team “is working closely with him on the next steps in his cancer care, which are already underway.” The California-based provider said it has treated more than 150 patients with Pluvicto in Northern California.
Adams described Pluvicto as “not a cure, but it does give good results to many people.” The drug, approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2022, was developed through international research efforts involving institutions in Germany and the United States.
The episode has drawn mixed reactions online. Supporters praised Trump for his compassion, while critics questioned the former president’s intervention, noting that his administration cut research funding that had helped develop drugs like Pluvicto.
Adams, best known for creating Dilbert in 1989, became one of the most widely syndicated cartoonists in the U.S. before his career was overshadowed by controversy over his racially charged remarks in 2023. Several newspapers and publishers cut ties with him after he referred to Black Americans as a “hate group.”
Despite his declining health, Adams remains active online, using his platform to discuss his illness and express gratitude for public support. He has not yet responded publicly to Trump’s latest comments.
