The "health problems" were made-up by Joe and he broadcast it first thing that morning..
Seeeeee.
Whatever is the first thing people hear [if you study news events] is what they believe.
It's very hard to dislodge a first belief once it's established.
People like certainty.
What they first hear is what they go with.
They will not easily change.
They don't like to reason toward a change; or to accept it.
People prefer and favor certainly.
The idea something is uncertain is disturbing.
So people who manipulate the public make sure their story is the first thing people hear.
That's why he did that.