“I Am Declining Fast”: ‘Dilbert’ Creator Scott Adams begs Trump for help – here’s how the President responded
Scott Adams, cartoonist and author and creator of “Dilbert.” Image Credit: Lea Suzuki/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images
“Dilbert” creator Scott Adams has made a public plea to President Donald Trump for help in receiving urgent cancer treatment, sparking widespread attention online and prompting an immediate response from Trump himself.
The Bay Area cartoonist, best known for creating the long-running comic strip Dilbert, revealed that he is battling metastatic prostate cancer and facing delays from his healthcare provider, Kaiser Permanente of Northern California, in scheduling a crucial drug treatment called Pluvicto.
Trump Responds: “On It”
Within hours of Adams’ plea on X (formerly Twitter), Trump personally replied, writing: “On it.”
His intervention came as Adams described his situation as dire, saying, “I am declining fast. This treatment gives me a fighting chance to stick around on this planet a little bit longer.”
Trump’s response was later echoed by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who replied, “The President wants to help.”
This marks another instance of Trump taking a hands-on approach in individual health cases. During his first term, he signed the Right to Try Act, allowing terminally ill patients to access experimental drugs outside traditional FDA approval channels.
Kaiser Permanente Responds to the Public Appeal
Following Adams’ viral post, Kaiser Permanente issued a statement confirming that his oncology team was working closely with him.
“Our nuclear medicine and oncology experts are actively coordinating his next steps in care, including Pluvicto treatment,” the company stated, noting that more than 150 patients have already received the drug since its FDA approval.
Pluvicto, first approved in 2022 for advanced prostate cancer, was cleared in early 2025 for earlier use before chemotherapy. It’s a radioactive therapy designed to target and kill cancer cells more precisely than conventional chemotherapy.
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From Comic Icon to Controversial Figure
Adams’ plea not only highlighted his health crisis but also reignited public debate over his complicated public persona. Once one of America’s most recognizable cartoonists, Adams saw his comic Dilbert, launched in 1989, pulled from newspapers in 2023 following racist remarks he made on YouTube.
Despite the backlash, Adams remained an outspoken supporter of Donald Trump, frequently praising the president’s leadership and communication style on social media and his YouTube show, Real Coffee with Scott Adams.
In a May 2025 episode, Adams revealed his diagnosis, adding, “I have the same cancer that Joe Biden has,” in reference to the president’s own health announcement earlier that year.
A Desperate Plea in the Face of Bureaucratic Delays
Adams explained that while Kaiser approved his application for Pluvicto, the system “dropped the ball in scheduling” the IV treatment. The delay, he said, could mean the difference between life and death.
By appealing directly to Trump, Adams showcased both his desperation and the influence of personal networks in high-profile medical situations. The exchange underscores larger questions about healthcare bureaucracy and access to timely cancer treatment in the United States.
A Human Moment Amid Controversy
For Trump, this episode provides another opportunity to position himself as a leader willing to act quickly on individual cases. For Adams, it is a reminder that even polarizing figures face human vulnerability.
As of now, Kaiser Permanente has confirmed that Adams’ treatment plan is being accelerated, though no official confirmation has been made regarding Trump’s direct involvement.
FAQ
1. Why did Scott Adams ask Donald Trump for help?
Scott Adams publicly asked Trump for help after his healthcare provider, Kaiser Permanente, delayed scheduling his Pluvicto cancer treatment, which he said could extend his life.
2. What did Trump say in response to Scott Adams’ plea?
Trump responded on X with the words “On it”, signaling his intent to help Adams secure timely treatment.
3. What type of cancer does Scott Adams have?
Adams is battling metastatic prostate cancer, a severe form that has spread beyond the prostate to other parts of the body.
4. What is Pluvicto and how does it work?
Pluvicto is a radioactive drug approved by the FDA for treating advanced prostate cancer. It binds to cancer cells and delivers targeted radiation to destroy them.
5. What did Kaiser Permanente say about the situation?
Kaiser stated that Adams’ oncology team is working closely with him and that treatment steps are underway, emphasizing that they’ve already treated more than 150 patients with Pluvicto.
6. Did Robert F. Kennedy Jr. get involved?
Yes. As Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kennedy responded to Adams’ post, saying, “The President wants to help.”
7. When did Scott Adams reveal his diagnosis?
He disclosed his diagnosis in May 2025 on his YouTube show, Real Coffee with Scott Adams, noting that the cancer had spread to his bones.
8. Has Trump helped with medical cases before?
Yes. During his presidency, Trump signed the Right to Try Act, allowing terminally ill patients to access experimental treatments outside normal FDA approval.
9. Why was ‘Dilbert’ canceled?
Dilbert was dropped by multiple outlets in 2023 after Adams made racist comments during a YouTube livestream.
10. How is Scott Adams doing now?
As of early November 2025, Adams said he is awaiting Pluvicto treatment and remains hopeful after Trump’s intervention and Kaiser’s response.
