Lloyd Austin takes ‘full responsibility’ for hiding cancer diagnosis

THAT HE KEPT SECRET IN WHAT WAS A REMARKABLY FRANK NEWS CONFERENCE. STILL DEALING WITH LEG PAIN, HIS LIMP VISIBLE AS HE ARRIVED TO THE PENTAGON BRIEFING ROOM. LLOYD AUSTIN SPEAKING OUT FOR THE FIRST TIME ABOUT THAT CON TRO VER SU. NOW HE DID HIS DIAGNOSIS FROM THE PRESIDENT AND THE PUBLIC. >> WE DID NOT HANDLE THIS RIGHT, AND I DID NOT HANDLE THIS RIGHT. >> Reporter: ADMITTING HIS MISTAKE AND DELIVERING THIS APOLOGY. >> I SHOULD HAVE TOLD THE PRESIDENT ABOUT MY CANCER DIAGNOSIS. I SHOULD HAVE ALSO TOLD MY TEAM AND THE AMERICAN PUBLIC. AND I TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY. I APOLOGIZE TO MY TEAMMATES AND TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. >> Reporter: AUSTIN BOTH CONTRITE AND CANDID AFTER BIPARTISAN CRITICISM THAT HE KEPT SECRET FROM THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF AND OTHERS IN THE PENTAGON THAT HE WAS HOSPITALIZED FOR DAYS IN THE ICU WITH COMPLICATIONS AFTER BEING TREATED FOR PROSTATE CANCER. >> THE NEWS SHOOK ME, AND I KNOW THAT IT SHAKES SO MANY OTHERS, ESPECIALLY IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY. IT WAS A GUT PUNCH. AND, FRANKLY, MY FIRST INSTINCT WAS TO KEEP IT PRIVATE. >> Reporter: THE SECRETARY ALSO RESPONDED TO QUESTIONS ABOUT WHETHER HE ORDERED HIS STAFF TO CONCEAL THE EMERGENCY. AN AID HEARD ON THE 911 CALL BEFORE AUSTIN WAS RUSHED TO WALTER REED. >> CAN I ASK, CAN THE AMBULANCE NOT SHOW UP WITH LIGHTS AND SIRENS? WE'RE TRYING TO REMAIN A LITTLE SUBTLE. >> I NEVER DIRECTED ANYONE TO KEEP MY JANUARY HOSPITALIZATION FROM THE WHITE HOUSE. I'M OFFERING ALL OF THIS AS AN EXPLANATION AND NOT AN EXCUSE. >> ANYONE ELSE WOULD HAVE FACED REPRIMAND OR EVEN DISMISSAL. WHY SHOULDN'T THAT SAME STANDARD APPLY TO YOU, SIR? >> I TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR -- FOR THE DEPARTMENT'S ACTIONS. >> Reporter: THE 70-YEAR-OLD HOPING THIS MOMENT SERVES AS A LESSON FOR OTHERS. >> GET SCREENED. GET YOUR REGULAR CHECK-UPS. >> Reporter: AUSTIN SAID, AS A LEADER, HE MISSED AN OPPORTUNITY TO DELIVER AN IMPORTANT PUBLIC HEALTH MESSAGE, ESPECIALLY FOR BLACK AND OLDER MEN. AND HE DID NOT WANT THAT CHANCE TO PASS AGAIN. IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THE PENT

Channel: TODAY

Views: 77,876

Keywords: Al Roker, Entertainment, Food, Health, Hoda Kotb, Home, International News, Money, Natalie Morales, Savannah Gutherie, Sports, Style, Today, Today Show, breaking news, concerts, domestic news, interviews, media, parents, pets, politics, shopping, weather

Id: Lh4VAzXDN4g

Length: 2min 30sec (150 seconds)

Published: Fri Feb 02 2024