Washington: U.S. President Donald Trump has promised to help Dilbert creator Scott Adams obtain timely access to life-saving cancer treatment, after the cartoonist publicly appealed for assistance amid delays in receiving his approved therapy. The move has drawn significant public attention, merging issues of healthcare accessibility, celebrity influence, and political intervention.
Scott Adams, 68, revealed over the weekend that he is battling metastatic prostate cancer and facing delays in receiving his prescribed drug, Pluvicto a radioactive-targeted therapy developed by Novartis. Despite approval from his health insurer, Kaiser Permanente of Northern California, Adams said he had been waiting for the procedure to be scheduled. “I am declining fast,” Adams wrote on social media, urging for immediate action. He expressed that the therapy could offer him “a fighting chance to stay alive a little longer.”
Trump, who remains an active figure on social media, swiftly responded to Adams’ plea with a two-word post: “On it.” The former president’s brief but emphatic message signaled his intent to intervene on Adams’ behalf, possibly through advocacy or coordination with the healthcare provider. Though no formal steps have been publicly detailed, Trump’s engagement has already generated widespread conversation about the intersection of fame, politics, and the American healthcare system.
Kaiser Permanente issued a statement shortly afterward, affirming that Adams’ oncology team was “working closely with him on the next steps in his cancer care,” and that the process was already underway. The insurer emphasized that it has treated more than 150 patients with Pluvicto since the drug was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, underscoring its commitment to ensuring timely care for all patients. Novartis, the Swiss pharmaceutical company manufacturing Pluvicto, noted that the drug has demonstrated a 28 percent reduction in disease progression or death among prostate cancer patients, making it one of the most advanced targeted therapies available.
Adams rose to prominence as the creator of Dilbert, a satirical comic strip that humorously depicted corporate life and workplace absurdities. Once syndicated in thousands of newspapers worldwide, the strip’s popularity declined sharply in 2023 after Adams made controversial comments that led major publications to drop his work. Despite the controversy, he retained a strong following on social media, where he continues to share personal reflections, political opinions, and, most recently, updates on his health battle.
Trump’s decision to publicly assist Adams adds another dimension to his ongoing efforts to portray himself as a champion of individual rights and common-sense reform, particularly in areas where bureaucracy or corporate systems appear to fail individuals. It also highlights the difficulties faced by patients navigating complex healthcare systems, where administrative delays can mean the difference between life and death.
The situation has sparked discussions about how influence and visibility can impact access to medical care. Many supporters praised Trump’s quick response, while critics argued that personal connections should not determine the speed of healthcare delivery. For now, the focus remains on Adams’ treatment and recovery, with his supporters expressing hope that Trump’s intervention will help expedite the process.
As Adams continues his battle against cancer, his story serves as both a human interest case and a reflection of the larger challenges embedded in the U.S. healthcare landscape. Whether Trump’s promise translates into tangible assistance remains to be seen, but the episode underscores how health crises even for public figures can expose the limits and inequalities of modern medicine.