Hunter Biden tells BBC his pardon was 'not good' for America or his father's legacy
In a wide-ranging BBC interview, the former president's son denied having any interest in running for office and spoke frankly on his father's declining health.
Hunter Biden recently informed the BBC that he considers himself "the most privileged person there is" following the presidential pardon he received from his father, former US President Joe Biden. He conceded that this pardon was detrimental to both America and his father's legacy.
During an extensive interview with the BBC's Newsnight, Hunter Biden addressed the contentious pardon, discussed his father's declining health, dismissed the idea of pursuing elected office, and spoke about his efforts to assist others in overcoming addiction.
When questioned about the 2024 pardon, he acknowledged the criticism but posed the question, "What would you have thought of my dad if he did not do that for me." He added, "It's something that is easily criticised and for good reason." He further stated, "It's not fair… All I know is that I'm grateful that he did it for me," without explicitly acknowledging that the pardon was "not good" for the American people, the Constitution, or his father's legacy.
He explained to the BBC that his father's decision was ultimately driven by concern that he would become a target under the incoming administration of Donald Trump. "I was the only one in the world that could have gotten what I got from the only person in the world who could give it, my father." Hunter Biden also asserted that he and his father had never discussed the possibility of a pardon before it was granted, stating, "There is no way that you can have those kinds of discussions that would not become public."
President Biden issued a full and unconditional pardon to his son in December 2024, despite previous assurances that he would not use presidential powers to intervene in his son's legal matters. In his announcement, the former president claimed his son had been "selectively and unfairly prosecuted." The pardon encompassed his son's federal gun conviction, a tax case he had pleaded guilty to, and any federal offenses committed between 2014 and 2024.
Hunter Biden became visibly emotional during the interview, particularly when discussing his father's health. "Cancer is really hard," he said, pausing to clear his throat. "It's really sad to watch." He continued, "My dad is, to this day, the centre of our family. He's the best father, the best husband, the best grandfather." He described Joe Biden's cancer as having spread, calling it "very painful" and "very debilitating." "The only thing that I say about my dad, about his health right now, is I wish he would complain more."
Hunter Biden also reflected on the presidential debate in June 2024 that marked the end of his father's re-election campaign. He recounted watching it from his California home and immediately sensing that something was amiss. "I was shocked," he said. "I knew something was wrong."
Hunter Biden has previously attributed his father's poor debate performance to physical exhaustion from extensive travel. Following Joe Biden's cancer diagnosis, he has also speculated whether the illness might have already been impacting his father. He noted that his father remains politically engaged and committed to continuing public speaking.
When asked about rumors of him entering politics or even running for the presidency, Biden stated he had "no interest in elected politics" and dismissed any suggestion of seeking office in the future. Instead, Biden expressed a desire to dedicate his time to discussing addiction and recovery, a cause he believes can bridge America's political divides. "I believe that addiction and the hope of recovery are something that connect us all," he said.
Asked what made him most proud of his father, Hunter Biden highlighted his resilience rather than his years in public office. "I'm most proud of his resilience," he said. "He's proven time and time again that when you get knocked down, you can get up. He's the toughest man I know."
In related news, Melania Trump has reportedly threatened to sue Hunter Biden for $1 billion over an Epstein claim, and Hunter Biden has publicly criticized George Clooney regarding his father's exit from the 2024 election. Hunter Biden has also stated that he cannot afford to continue his laptop-related lawsuit.