Hunter Biden says he of course made Joe Biden’s health and life worse "He never, ever, ever let me go"

[u/mlg1981]

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[u/c0smicgirly]

Joe Biden’s love and devotion for his son is honestly his best quality.

The trauma he’s been through with his family would bring most to their knees; it never surprised me how fiercely loyal he was to Hunter during Hunter’s darkest days.

[u/urfatassmama → u/c0smicgirly]

When Joe Biden looked into the camera and said he is proud of his son when Trump tried to talk shit about Hunter during a debate, it genuinely brought tears to my eyes because I knew Joe meant it whole heartedly. Donald will never understand that kind of love and devotion for a child

[u/GullibleWineBar → u/urfatassmama]

For anything. He doesn’t love. He just wants and craves.

[u/DeathWish111 → u/urfatassmama]

Same. Unforgettable moment.

[u/Slacker_The_Dog → u/[deleted]]

It literally proves his humanity which is why righties hate him for it

[u/Fragrant_Bid_8123 → u/[deleted]]

Yes especially when you have all these absentee fathers who stay but arent there and worse, those who abandoned their kids completely or who kept having kids with multiple different women. You have those who made their kids their workhorses or petty thieves while still minors as sources of income. Some even prostitute their own kids.

[u/StasRutt → u/c0smicgirly]

If my family went through such a bad tragedy that I would have to meet the president, President Biden is the president I would want in office for it.

[u/naturalninetime → u/c0smicgirly]

My mom, who is dying 😔, was also fiercely loyal to me during my darkest days. I love you, Momma. ❤️❤️❤️

[u/OptimismByFire]

11 years sober, here.

Hunter Biden speaks so candidly and accessibly about addiction. He's exactly right. My addiction hurt the people around me, and I own it. It's not okay. It has consequences, and I said/did things that damaged other people for the rest of their lives. I have to live with it. It's fucking awful.

What I can do is sincerely apologize and change my behavior. I will never do those things again, but it doesn't negate the harm that I did at the time.

I am so grateful there is a face and voice for addiction that is eloquent, makes cogent arguments, and accepts responsibility.

We do recover. People like Joe Biden make that recovery easier.

ETA: Many addicts will not be offended by this question. I'm not.

It's a horrible thing to face, but recovery requires honesty. Most of us have already come to terms with what we've done. Please don't be offended on our behalf.

[u/Boom_chaka_laka → u/OptimismByFire]

He's also pretty clever and no longer really gaf about hiding his past so he has been able to de-weaponize this period of his life from ppl who seek to silence him. I agree, I'm so happy he's been able to come out from the other side in the manner in which he has.

[u/thedesignproject → u/OptimismByFire]

Congratulations on your sobriety. That's a long time!

[u/stinkpot_jamjar → u/OptimismByFire]

We’re miracles! I had 12 years on August 3rd!

[u/Tall-Introduction649 → u/OptimismByFire]

Congratulations on your sobriety. Thank you for your insight. I had to check some of my own biases here.

[u/Silver-Front-1299 → u/OptimismByFire]

Thank you for sharing and I hope you see this comment because honestly, THANK YOU.
I’m speaking from experience from the other side. The loved one of an addict. And it was not easy but it was harder for them. We’re several years past rock bottom and we’re still building that trust back up. Stories like these make us realize that we’re not alone.

Thank you.

[u/Fragrant_Bid_8123 → u/OptimismByFire]

Congratulations for being sober.

[u/DeathWish111 → u/OptimismByFire]

Congratulations on 11 years!

[u/pervy_roomba]

I will always, always remember when Republicans leaked a phone call from Biden to his son, telling him no matter what happens he loves him, as though it were some kind of fucking gotcha. As though a father telling his drug addicted son that he loves him no matter what was some kind of a fucking flaw and this proved that. 

Really highlighted the Republican mind in action.

[u/nerdalertalertnerd → u/pervy_roomba]

This phone call is so loving and honest, I don’t know how anyone could ever listen and think it reveals anything detrimental about his character.

[u/DeansPigInAPoke → u/pervy_roomba]

And the texts he sent Hunter in rehab each day. The one from his first morning there gets me every time. Just Joe saying: “Good morning, my beautiful boy. I love you.”

[u/Zeltron2020 → u/DeansPigInAPoke]

Hoooooboy as the mom to a toddler boy this one got me 😭

[u/VoleUntarii → u/Zeltron2020]

I’m not even a parent and it made me tear up.

[u/DeansPigInAPoke → u/Zeltron2020]

I’m mom to two teenage boys. It’s so simple and it makes me tear up every time.

[u/jmt2589 → u/DeansPigInAPoke]

It’s my fault for reading this thread while PMSing

[u/SerBrienneOfSnark → u/pervy_roomba]

I think about that voicemail recording so often. I have a lot of issues with Joe Biden politically, but that voicemail recording only ever made me think that this was a good father who loved his son and that Hunter was lucky to have that kind of love in his life.

[u/snn1326j]

This made me tear up a little bit, both because Hunter was able to explain his father’s love so eloquently and beautifully, and also because it’s indisputable that Joe Biden is the definition of a family man (and when you think about all of his losses over the decades it makes it even more amazing). Meanwhile we are now somehow stuck with Trump who can’t even be bothered to attend his son’s wedding. Honestly I’m not sure he even likes his kids other than Ivanka 🤮

[u/tequilitas → u/snn1326j]

The thing is.. Hunter Biden experienced a lot, but the thing he will always have that none of the Trump kids ever will is unconditional love.

Joe Biden loves him, truly loves him..

[u/Curiosities → u/tequilitas]

And of course, the usual people were basically attacking when Joe was seen hugging Hunter. A....hug.

Obviously, they gave Biden shit over a lot of things that he didn't deserve criticism for, and that was one of the ugliest. For loving your son. Even one that has made mistakes (and owned up to them) and worked to change.

Look, any politician deserves criticism over some things, so go ahead with legitimate stuff.

[u/Muppet_Fitzgerald → u/snn1326j]

I highly recommend his book, Beautiful Things. Hunter is an excellent writer and he captures addiction so well. And the book is a beautiful love letter to his brother, Beau. His grief at losing his brother is wrapped up with his addiction and you can just feel the pain coming through the pages.

[u/1sinfutureking → u/snn1326j]

I don’t even think he actually likes Ivanka, he just, you know…

[u/LaurelCanyoner → u/snn1326j]

I don’t think he even likes Ivanka. He’s just attracted to her. Especially when she was young. Very young.

[u/casapantalones → u/snn1326j]

Yeah but he really likes Ivanka. At least, he did when she was younger.

[u/IScreamPiano → u/snn1326j]

Maybe Barron too because he's really tall? 

[u/dkinmn]

Joe Biden saved Hunter's life by simply being a present father all the way into the hard stuff. Well after he had to. While he was the Vice President and President of this country.

And people want me to hate him? Nope.

[u/coolcoolcool485]

this is a degree of accountability that most people wouldn't be comfortable being honest with themselves about

[u/SerBrienneOfSnark]

What kind of fucked up question is this to ask a man whose father is currently dying? Are journalists okay??

[u/VictorTheCutie → u/SerBrienneOfSnark]

Seriously that was my only thought. I'm sure Hunter struggles with a lot of heavy guilt, and probably some upcoming anxiety with the thought of Joe passing away. Fuck that journalist

[u/JealousAstronomer342 → u/VictorTheCutie]

Hunter has openly discussed the negative consequences of his addiction, and I’m glad he does. Part of recovery is admitting how you fucked up and who you hurt (this often also includes yourself). 7 years sober here. 

[u/VictorTheCutie → u/JealousAstronomer342]

7 years is amazing, keep going!!!

[u/OptimismByFire → u/VictorTheCutie]

For what it's worth, I'm 11 years sober and not offended at all.

It's a pointed question, and a painful one, but also has merit. This is just journalism, in my view.

He's not attacking Hunter's character. He's asking about the consequences of Hunter's choices.

It's a painful thing to talk about, but that doesn't make it offensive.

Just some thoughtful feedback from someone who has had to face similar questions 💜

[u/spenwallce → u/SerBrienneOfSnark]

I disagree. I think given the context of how willing Hunter is to discuss his addiction, I can understand the question.

[u/west2night → u/SerBrienneOfSnark]

Newsnight tends to ask questions to give an interviewee the opportunity to address, clarify or correct an allegation made elsewhere.

[u/SerBrienneOfSnark → u/west2night]

What allegation is being corrected by asking this man to reflect on how he made his dying father’s life worse?

[u/west2night → u/SerBrienneOfSnark]

I have no idea. I only shared what Newsnight is known to do. They don't usually look for a Gotcha. They tend to seek context, clarification or clarity.

[u/alhubalawal → u/SerBrienneOfSnark]

Don’t they usually have to approve the questions before conducting the interview? If they did, and the journalist asked this without permission, that’s wild.

[u/DSQ → u/alhubalawal]

News night is not the kind of show where they send questions to guests in advance. So there is no permission to give as everyone is told generally what the topics might be and that’s it. 

[u/mmmstrongflavors → u/DSQ]

I don't think it's outside the realm of possibility that this was an agreed upon topic cleared in advance. The way he answered almost without pause seemed like it was fine with him. It struck me as a wildly cruel thing to ask someone, but Hunter seems to want to talk very bluntly and publicly about the worst parts of addiction.

[u/SerBrienneOfSnark → u/mmmstrongflavors]

Me thinking it is cruel is completely unrelated to how Hunter feels about it. I just think there are better ways to get this man to talk about addiction and his struggles (obv cause he does it all the time) without asking him to reflect on how his addiction made his dying father’s life worse. It’s just not necessary.

[u/mmmstrongflavors → u/SerBrienneOfSnark]

💯

[u/SerBrienneOfSnark → u/[deleted]]

I think it’s tactless to ask a man whose father is dying how he made his life worse. Period.

Hunter talks freely about his addiction and is very accountable, there were a million different questions to ask to get him to talk about how addiction impacts addicts and their families. This just feels gross and exploitative to me.

[u/SerBrienneOfSnark → u/[deleted]]

What does forcing him to sit down for the interview matter here?

Did I say he has a gun to his head and was forced to answer these questions? Or did I simply point out that EYEEEE find it distasteful for the journalist to ask this question?

[u/WelshBathBoy → u/SerBrienneOfSnark]

This is what journalism is supposed to be, to ask the difficult questions - regardless of the circumstances, no matter the pain it may cause. If only US journalists asked the same of their politicians it wouldn't be such a circus over there.

[u/SerBrienneOfSnark → u/WelshBathBoy]

Also like I’m sorry but yes the US is fucked up and our journalists are largely shitty, but they aren’t shitty because they don’t ask questions like this. Be serious.

[u/WelshBathBoy → u/SerBrienneOfSnark]

Maybe if they did ask uncomfortable questions they would be doing a better job. Besides, he could have said "I don't want to answer the question". I guess this is just what we expect from out journalists over here, politicians and public figures expect hard hitting questions. If it makes people uncomfortable, don't watch or agree to go on the show.

[u/SparkyDogPants → u/[deleted]]

No it’s not. Blaming someone for their father dying is not worth an “amazing answer”. Whether or not he had a good response, I’m sure any guilt he has is eating him up and things like this are terrible. 

[u/SerBrienneOfSnark → u/[deleted]]

Nah I don’t think it is worth it. This is cruel to Hunter, even if it was a good response

[u/_HowVery → u/[deleted]]

I would moreso say in despite of the tactless comments we got an amazing answer

[u/soup4breakfast]

Joe Biden seems like a really good father. Hunter looks so much like him.

[u/Warm_Feet_Are_Happy → u/soup4breakfast]

He sounds just like him when he speaks.

[u/therealdanhill]

What a terrible thing to ask another human being, what the fuck man

[u/cuddle_enthusiast]

Terrible question in many ways. I have two toddlers under 6. They're aging me and impacting my health dramatically.

[u/OilersGirl29 → u/cuddle_enthusiast]

It doesn’t matter how “good” the child — we all age our parents by simply existing. I feel bad that they asked this to someone who is in active recovery, when it’s a “yes” answer from basically anyone.

[u/mixedwithmonet]

What the actual fuck is this question, but also Hunter Biden being able to graciously and amazingly respond to every negative thing people fling at him has been my favorite part of 2026

[u/FosterPupz]

If you are an admirer of Joe Biden, as I am, (not a fan or acolyte; just an admirer) you can see in this son of his, every bit of love that Joe put into his son. Also, you can see Joe in Hunter’s face. I am so happy that he has gotten sober and is speaking with people frankly like he is. I don’t want or need him in politics, but I like him being public about his recovery, and defending his dad against the stupidity of trump.

[u/ohhisnark]

Only thing this proved is how good of a father Joe Biden is

[u/Typical_Response6444]

If only journalists were so brazen with trump and his family

[u/Busy-Doughnut6180 → u/Typical_Response6444]

Trump would never speak to Newsnight. 

[u/East_Unit3765]

This is such a dickhead question. But Hunter really had a great response. And Joe did not get enough credit for being a loving parent of an addict. I think this helped in making Joe uniquely qualified for president. (America is def like the ungrateful addict child) Unrelated, but I just know he’s sitting there in his boxers and no pants lol.

[u/ManoSilence]

My uncle had addiction. Despite the fact that he broke my grandma's heart, he was always welcomed home, till the day he couldn't come back 💔

[u/littlemachina]

As a recovering addict I really love how open and shameless he is. Shame only drives people back into addiction. Talking about it honestly is empowering. 

[u/United-Smile-1733]

What a terrible question wtf

[u/SparkyDogPants]

What a shitty “gotcha” question. Who asks someone if they are to blame for their parents bad health? 

[u/dembowthennow]

Children are hard - even when they're adults. I'm pretty sure that after losing family members in a car crash, Joe Biden was acutely aware of the value of fighting to help his son through his addiction. Parents don't become parents assuming it will be an easy ride - or, they shouldn't.

[u/TizzyBumblefluff]

Compassion and love can be the antidote to trauma.

[u/Muppet_Fitzgerald]

I like how Hunter responds that “other people” would be offended by that question. A masterclass way to call it out.

[u/Afwife1992]

I’ll never forget Sean hannity playing a leaked voicemail from Joe to Hunter. Joe said how much he loved him and hannity used it like some gotcha. Only proved Hunter was blessed with his dad and hannity had obviously never known unconditional love.

[u/Rare_Walk_4845]

I miss Joe Biden. Never had to worry about him fucking anything up asleep behind his desk.

[u/Pale-Measurement-532 → u/Rare_Walk_4845]

It’s interesting how Trump called Biden Sleepy Joe. Meanwhile here’s Trump:

https://giphy.com/gifs/lvN2HcJS7ZiEjBlHxV

[u/ikarka → u/Pale-Measurement-532]

Every accusation is an admission with him

[u/LaMelonBallz → u/Rare_Walk_4845]

Or about him fucking anyone

[u/Basic-Collection5416 → u/LaMelonBallz]

Biden is the only politician I would honestly believe never had sex outside of marriage. 

[u/Pale-Measurement-532 → u/Basic-Collection5416]

I feel Obama is this way too.

[u/Basic-Collection5416 → u/Pale-Measurement-532]

Nah, he was definitely having some premarital sex in college. I can believe he’s been faithful since getting with Michelle, but before? He was a good looking young man. 

[u/Pale-Measurement-532 → u/Basic-Collection5416]

No I meant he wouldn’t cheat on his spouse. Sorry I guess I misinterpreted your post. I meant being faithful to Michelle throughout their marriage.

Joe’s been married twice. I would think he had premarital sex as well.

[u/MavisBeacons_Sextape → u/Rare_Walk_4845]

I miss presidents that only infiltrate my news feed with their thoughts or actions when it is explicitly and significantly relevant, like matters of policy or international diplomacy. Not a barrage of their every stupid thought and lunatic behavior being shoved down my throat every time I open my phone. Biden was in that category. His “blunders” were pretty one note: being old af and acting like it. But at least Biden listened to experts and delegated accordingly, and had some adults in the room.

Beyond that, he seems like a decent enough human, which is ideal for a President - I want to trust that they’re not doing evil, greedy, traitorous shit every second they’re awake, and forget about them.

Unfortunately, I get the feeling things are about to get so much worse on that front. Reshapes tinfoil hat. I think that the real coup is about to get started, and that most of these original appointees (Bondi, Noem, Gabbard, etc) were just the easy placeholders for the actual coup crew: Blanche, Mullin, Clayton. The headline I saw yesterday was a stomach-churning reminder of the new positioning of trumps cabinet “Trump’s former personal lawyer swears in Trump’s former personal lawyer as Attorney General.” Barf. Better buckle up, because the worst Trump loyalists are now installed and ready to roll.

[u/LivingPresent629 → u/Rare_Walk_4845]

Of all the things to miss about Joe Biden, his ability to stay awake on the job is not top of the list.

[u/Pale-Measurement-532 → u/LivingPresent629]

And Trump had the nerve to call him Sleepy Joe. 🙄

[u/OyWithThePoodles2017]

That's a horrible question to ask someone. For what it's worth, I don't think Hunter should blame himself. Most people are going to get cancer at some point in our lives. Even if Hunter was the perfect son, Joe likely would have got cancer.

My brother was a nightmare as a teen and until a couple of years ago (alcohol and drugs). If my mum gets cancer, I'm not going to blame him.

[u/Expensive-Block-6034]

I’ve listened to a number of podcasts where he’s been a guest, and read his book. I really like this guy.

He even went on Candace Owens, I don’t listen to her normally but he floored me there too.

His father’s love for him is undeniable, and the Republican “family values” troupe can learn a thing or two about what the true meaning of love is.

[u/spenwallce]

He's not a perfect human being, but the way this man speaks so openly and honestly about his addiction is so admirable. I hope he's doing alright, and I hope Joe isn't suffering too much in his current condition

[u/millennialmonster755]

The opposite of Brad Pitt. That’s a humbly sober person.

[u/DeansPigInAPoke → u/millennialmonster755]

Exactly this. This is how someone who is truly sober (instead of just dry), is not narcissistic, and who truly loves their family takes accountability.

[u/GammaFan]

That is in fact a tabloid tier question, but he handled it very well.

[u/TheTyto_Alba]

Ok this made me tear up as someone who grew up with a narcissistic father I don’t actually know what unconditional love means.

“He never let go”

[u/Basic-Collection5416]

I… I don’t think that’s how cancer works?

[u/Doom_Corp → u/Basic-Collection5416]

Especially at his age. By the time you hit your 70s it's a crap shoot. Your body really just stops working right and if you do end up having a health scare or need surgery it takes much more of a toll on your body than even 10 years prior. Acting like someone getting cancer in their eighties is the fault of their child whether they be perfect or not is pretty ridiculous. The man was in government his entire life which is also incredibly stressful. Obama went entirely grey during his presidency which I do not believe is entirely due to age and primarily stress cause I saw first hand that happen to a friend of mine who was only 38 and went grey in a month. He was on a major software engineering project who had a much younger team member quit due to the stress of the deliverable timeline and they couldn't get anyone else on that knew the project well enough to replace him that late in.

[u/kaytay3000 → u/Basic-Collection5416]

Stress ages. Did Hunter cause his dad’s cancer? No. Did the stress of having a child suffering with addiction cause extra stress that ages and interferes with healthy systems? Absolutely.

[u/Basic-Collection5416 → u/kaytay3000]

To be fair, the office of President of the United States isn’t exactly a low stress job either. 

[u/kaytay3000 → u/Basic-Collection5416]

Totally. My favorite before/after photos are of Presidents before and after their terms.

It’s a shitty question, but it’s a legitimate phenomenon.

[u/bageltoastar]

I’ve seen a few interviews with Hunter Biden lately and I have to give the guy his props. He seems like a really gracious person and with all the shit he had to deal with from the media, and still has to deal with, apparently, he still keeps his head high and seems to have a lot of integrity. I also really like how he’s been working to break the stigma against drug addiction by being honest about his struggles. We as a society tend to ostracize and demonize those struggling with drug issues as if it’s something a lot of people choose to fall into, and it causes a lot of people to not ask for help out of fear of being judged.

[u/TheSwampThing1990]

I really like this guy

[u/maghy7]

I wish Joe Biden a calm passing, I have gone through what his family is going through twice, once my grandmother then my father and it’s one of the most painful things to witness and go through, seeing them suffer is the most horrible thing.

[u/InevitableFox81194]

Im very much here for Hunter Biden's redemption arc.

[u/tew2109]

Shitty question, even though Hunter sketches me out. His father is dying of cancer and appears to be in maybe the final stages, from how his family is talking. Hunter has lost his mother, his younger sister, his older brother, and now he's losing his father to the same slow, hateful disease that took his brother. Like, have some empathy.

Hunter was pretty honest though, so that's something. One thing I don't see him do is ever underplay his addiction or try to make it not as bad as it obviously was.

I'm sorry about President Biden :( He disappointed me on Palestine. A lot. But I've also seen him be a genuinely kind and caring person and he clearly adores his children. No one deserves this awful disease.

[u/longlisten527]

That’s a terrible fucking question. I hope that journalist his fucking job one day. What the fuck

[u/Twitter_2006]

He seems like a good man.

[u/aliskyart]

I have never been so proud of someone I don’t know 👏🏻

[u/Bhulaskatah]

What a prick. Shame on that reporter.

[u/omojos]

What is the point of the stupid AI filters on everything? Human eyes and mouths don't move like this.

[u/omojos → u/omojos]

Also the question should never be asked of anybody. Dude is acting like Hunter murdered somebody or gave his dad cancer. Sickening. And look how well he answered? People who hate Hunter keep handing him layups, that's how you know his mom is watching over him well. He has taken his journey and not lived an easy life. Dude is trying to finish strong. Leave him alone, damn.

[u/Ok-Classroom5548]

I swear to god if the old dems try to make Hunter run for president I am going to lose it.