Hunter Biden described himself as "the most privileged person there is" after receiving a presidential pardon from his father, former US President Joe Biden. In a wide-ranging interview with the BBC's Newsnight on August 7, 2026, he acknowledged that the pardon was "not good" for the American people, the Constitution, or his father's legacy.

Discussing the controversial pardon granted in December 2024, Hunter Biden said he understood the criticism but asked, "What would you have thought of my dad if he did not do that for me." He admitted the pardon was "easily criticised and for good reason," but expressed gratitude that his father chose to pardon him.

Hunter Biden argued that President Biden acted out of concern that he would become a target under Donald Trump's incoming administration. He also insisted that he and his father 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."

The former president's son denied any interest in running for elected office and revealed that his father's cancer has spread. He also spoke about helping others recover from addiction and rejected the suggestion that he felt untouchable because of his family ties.

President Joe Biden had repeatedly said before the pardon that he would not intervene in his son's legal cases, making the pardon unexpected to some.

Sources