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.

Asked about the 2024 pardon, Hunter Biden said he understood the criticism but added, "What would you have thought of my dad if he did not do that for me." He admitted the pardon was "something that is easily criticised and for good reason," but expressed gratitude that his father chose to grant it.

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 had 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 revealed that his father's cancer has spread and ruled out any interest in seeking elected office. He also spoke about helping others recover from addiction and rejected the suggestion that he felt untouchable because he was the son of a president.

President Joe Biden granted Hunter Biden a full and unconditional pardon in December 2024, despite previously stating he would not intervene in his son's legal cases.

Sources