Kathrine Frich
Hunter recalled feeling immediate shock.
When a parent holds extraordinary power, the line between public duty and family loyalty can easily blur.
Decisions made out of love often spark fierce national debate, leaving behind complicated political legacies.
One son has now opened up about the personal cost of his family’s highest profile choices.
The controversial gift
In a candid conversation with BBC Newsnight cited by Onet, Hunter Biden admitted that receiving a presidential pardon from his father was not easy to defend. Former president Joe Biden granted the full and unconditional pardon in December 2024.
The move covered federal gun and tax convictions alongside any potential federal offences committed over a decade. Critics quickly condemned the decision, pointing to previous promises that the White House would not interfere in court cases.
Hunter conceded that the action was not good for America, the Constitution, or his father’s legacy. Still, he expressed deep personal gratitude.
“I was the only person in the world who could receive something like that from the only person in the world who could give it to me, my father,” he explained to the BBC. He added that he understood the backlash, asking, “What would you think of my father if he hadn’t done this for me?”
Painful family battles
Beyond political controversies, the younger Biden spoke emotionally about his father’s declining health. He revealed that Joe Biden’s cancer had progressed and spread to his bones, describing the disease as very painful and debilitating.
“Cancer is really hard,” he said during the emotional interview. “It’s very sad to watch.” He praised his father’s resilience, calling him the strongest man he knows.
He reflected on watching the disastrous June 2024 presidential debate that ultimately led to his father exiting the race. Hunter recalled feeling immediate shock and realizing something was wrong as he watched from California.
He also addressed his own history of severe substance abuse, describing his darkest moments with alcohol and crack cocaine as hell on earth. Looking ahead, he firmly ruled out running for public office, choosing instead to focus on helping others recover from addiction.
Sources: Onet, BBC
