Hunter Biden told the BBC in an exclusive interview that the presidential pardon he received from his father, former U.S. President Joe Biden, was "not good" for the United States or his father's legacy. The interview, conducted by BBC's Newsnight, offered a candid glimpse into the personal and political ramifications of the 2024 pardon, which came amid heightened scrutiny over the former president's health and the ongoing fallout from his failed re-election bid. The pardon, granted in December 2024, covered Hunter Biden's federal gun conviction, a tax case he had pled guilty to, and any federal offenses committed between 2014 and 2024. Despite repeated assurances that he would not use the power of the presidency to interfere in his son's legal matters, Joe Biden chose to issue the full and unconditional pardon, citing selective and unfair prosecution. Hunter acknowledged the controversy surrounding the decision, stating that while he understood the criticisms, he believed his father's actions were driven by a desire to protect him from potential persecution under a future administration led by Donald Trump. Hunter also shared deeply personal reflections on his struggles with addiction, revealing that during his lowest moments, he consumed nearly a gallon of vodka daily while using crack cocaine every 15 minutes. He described this period as "hell on earth," emphasizing that the experience was far from glamorous. He attributed his substance abuse to a need to escape feelings of anxiety and isolation rather than a sense of entitlement stemming from his status as the child of a president. He admitted that the drugs and alcohol initially seemed like solutions before becoming "the thing that almost killed me." The interview took an emotional turn when Hunter discussed his father's deteriorating health. He revealed that Joe Biden's cancer had spread to his bones and was causing severe pain and debilitation. "It's really sad to watch," he said, clearing his throat as he struggled to contain his emotions. He emphasized that his father remained a central figure in their family, calling him "the best father, the best husband, the best grandfather." Hunter expressed frustration that his father did not complain more about his condition, though he acknowledged that his father continued to engage publicly with causes he cared about, including publishing a memoir titled Promise Me, America following the midterm elections. Hunter also touched on the 2024 presidential debate that marked the end of his father's re-election campaign. He recalled watching the event from his home in California and sensing immediately that something was wrong. "I was shocked," he said. "I knew something was wrong." This moment, he suggested, underscored the growing strain on the family as Joe Biden's health declined and his political career came to an abrupt end. In addition to these revelations, Hunter addressed concerns about whether his behavior had contributed to his father's declining health. He admitted that his decades-long struggle with addiction likely worsened his father's condition, noting that "addiction does" that. He acknowledged the emotional toll on his family, particularly on his mother and siblings, and expressed regret over the impact his actions had on them. Despite this, he maintained that his father had always been supportive, offering unconditional love and guidance even during his darkest moments. As the interview concluded, Hunter reiterated his mixed feelings about the pardon, recognizing its negative implications for the Constitution and national trust. Yet he also stressed his deep gratitude for his father's decision, arguing that it was the only option available to him given the circumstances. "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," he said.
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