In a revelation from the forthcoming book "2024: How Trump Retook the White House and the Democrats Lost America," Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, is said to have approached the Democratic National Committee (DNC) to request financial assistance for his legal battles. The book, which paints a detailed picture of the political and personal turmoil surrounding the Biden family, asserts that the DNC declined to cover Hunter's legal costs related to federal tax and gun charges.
At the time, the DNC was already shouldering the burden of legal expenses for President Biden concerning an investigation into the alleged mishandling of classified documents. The decision not to extend similar support to Hunter Biden's separate legal issues signaled a clear delineation of the party's willingness to provide financial aid.
Hunter Biden's financial struggles were far-reaching. By mid-2024, his legal bills had grown significantly, with estimates of around $5 million in total legal expenses, according to Kevin Morris' testimony to House Republican investigators. Morris, a friend and financial benefactor sometimes referred to as Hunter’s “sugar brother,” had already contributed over $2 million to settle Hunter’s outstanding tax liabilities and continued to assist with ongoing legal costs.
Hunter's financial obligations did not end with legal fees. He was also responsible for alimony payments to his ex-wife Kathleen Buhle and child support for his daughter Navy Joan Roberts, as part of a court settlement reported by the New York Post in June 2023.
The legal woes culminated in a conviction on June 11, 2024, when Hunter Biden was found guilty of three felony gun charges related to the possession of a firearm while addicted to drugs. In September, he also entered a guilty plea to multiple felony tax offenses, which involved more than $1.4 million in unpaid taxes.
Adding to the financial strain, the law firm representing Hunter in the Delaware gun case filed a lawsuit claiming he failed to pay over $50,000 in legal fees. These unpaid bills contributed to a tumultuous year for Hunter Biden, marked by mounting legal challenges and financial pressures.
In an unprecedented move before leaving office, President Joe Biden issued a sweeping pardon for his son. This pardon absolved Hunter of all convictions and extended to any potential crimes he may have committed from January 1, 2014, to December 1, 2024. An excerpt from the book published in the Wall Street Journal quotes President Biden telling a close friend, “The only thing I care about is that my son is not convicted,” highlighting the personal agony behind the political decisions.
The book also touches on President Biden's consideration of establishing a legal defense fund to aid his son with the federal criminal investigation and the concurrent congressional inquiry into Hunter's foreign business dealings. The congressional investigation has raised questions about the involvement of other family members, including the president, in Hunter Biden's international business activities.
"2024: How Trump Retook the White House and the Democrats Lost America," promises to offer an in-depth look at the intricate web of legal, financial, and familial issues surrounding the Bidens. The tell-all book, published by Penguin Press, is scheduled for release on July 8.
