Lloyd Austin apologizes for secret hospitalization, reveals why he didn’t disclose diagnosis

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told reporters Thursday he was “shook” when he learned of his prostate cancer diagnosis late last year, admitting that his “first instinct” was to keep it to himself despite his Cabinet role.

“It was a gut punch,” Austin, 70, told reporters in his first appearance before the media since he was rushed on Jan. 1 to Walter Reed National Military Hospital — where he scandalously remained for four days without telling his boss in the White House and his colleagues at the Pentagon.

“Frankly, my first instinct was to keep it private,” he added after admitting that he “did not handle this right.”

“I did not handle this right,” the Pentagon chief said. “I should have told the President about my cancer diagnosis. I should have also told my team and the American public. I apologize to my teammates, and to the American people.”

Austin was ultimately kept at Walter Reed for two weeks as doctors helped him through complications from the Dec. 22 prostatectomy – which he also kept from the Biden administration.

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