Hunter Biden unloaded about his past addictions in an opinion piece that offered no apologies but took aim at those who are running a “vile and sustained disinformation campaign” about his family.
The son of President Joe Biden described having a bottle of vodka a day “and as many hits on a crack pipe as possible” in the op-ed published Thursday in USA Today. He decried his addiction being “weaponized” against his father as his past business dealings continue to come under scrutiny by Republicans, but many noticed how the younger Biden seemed to be deflecting in his wordy tome, using his battle with drugs and alcohol as a shield.
The 53-year-old wrote that his struggles and mistakes “have been fodder” against his father and “an all-out annihilation of my reputation through high-pitched but fruitless congressional investigations.”
“I am not a victim. By any standard, I grew up with privilege and opportunity, and fully accept that the choices and mistakes I made are mine, and I am accountable for them and will continue to be,” he admitted.
“What troubles me is the demonization of addiction, of human frailty, using me as its avatar and the devastating consequences it has for the millions struggling with addiction,” he continued, seeming to suggest vilification of his past will negatively impact other addicts on their road to recovery. “The weaponization of my addiction by partisan and craven factions represents a real threat to those desperate to get sober but are afraid of what may await them if they do.”
The message of Hunter Biden’s op-ed today is that because Republicans are so mean to him, other addicts might not seek treatmenthttps://t.co/GQ2A2xYVc0
— Joe Gabriel Simonson (@SaysSimonson) November 2, 2023
He went on to name names in the listing of critics, lawmakers, media personalities and news outlets, as being part of an ongoing campaign against him, claiming, “It is already a near-impossible decision for addicts to get sober, and the avalanche of negativity and assault of my personal privacy may only make it harder for those considering it..”
“After what I have gone through since my brother died in 2015, and the perpetual public humiliation of me, I am now certain I can survive anything (except a drink or a drug),” he added.
The op-ed generated a barrage of comments on social media where many, like George Washington University Law School professor Jonathan Turley questioned the claims.
There are aspects of Hunter Biden’s account that have drawn universal empathy, including from critics like me. https://t.co/vpuP0s3nh0 However, is Hunter now claiming that millions in influence peddling and corrupt practices were part of his addiction or part of his recovery?
— Jonathan Turley (@JonathanTurley) November 2, 2023
…Moreover, if Hunter was a hopeless addict, it only magnifies why millions were sent to him and how he helped maintain a labyrinth of accounts and shell companies for these transfers. There are also the host of associates who assisted in their foreign payments to the Bidens.
— Jonathan Turley (@JonathanTurley) November 2, 2023
Turley noted that although Hunter Biden “was legitimately struggling with addiction,” this “is not a reason to end the investigations that he dismisses and it is not a defense for corrupt practices by himself and his family.”
Wow @JonathanTurley my son also has addiction issues should he be forgiven for those two DWI’s. Should I demand sympathy for him? No addiction is a symptom of much worse issues. Hunter his father and uncle belong in prison
— Lady Patricia (@delurker13) November 2, 2023
Just like dad, he plays upon American’s overall good nature and empathy that was innate in western culture. Same with narcissistic personality disorder domestic abusers.
— ShadowB (@tonelocxx) November 2, 2023
Spare me, trying to play the victim. Typical Democrat.
— Abe Froman (@AbeFromanKing99) November 2, 2023
this man is 53 years old
— VJ Maxwell 📡 (@vortmax79) November 2, 2023
lol it’s always the fault of those mean Republicans. you’ve screwed up your whole life? blame the republicans.
— Freddie Mercury (@FreddieMer89341) November 2, 2023
did Republicans make him use a crack pipe, bang his brother’s widow, or hang around prostitutes of questionable age?
don’t think that is the case.
— gosuprime (@gosuprime21) November 2, 2023
Other addicts that are using their father’s name to get money from China and Ukraine? I don’t think other addicts are paying attention to #HunterBiden or what’s happening to him.
— 🇺🇸 #IAmTheNRA Rosenblum (@StevenRosenblum) November 2, 2023
Cry me a river.
— LizaM (@gotchatheregrin) November 2, 2023
There are millions of people that have addictions but that does not absolve them of their crimes. That Joe Biden never said to his son that he should not be flying around of AirForce 2 conducting foreign business astounds me. You can make all the excuses you want–it does not fly
— Mary Martis (@MaryMartis4) November 2, 2023
