Hunter Biden has finally conceded that "the big guy" mentioned in a contentious email regarding a $5 million deal with a Chinese energy conglomerate indeed referred to his father, Joe Biden. This acknowledgment, surfacing after persistent denials, sheds new light on the intricate web of the Biden family's foreign business engagements.
"I truly don't know what the hell that James was talking about," Hunter Biden remarked, referring to the 2017 email by his former business partner, James Gilliar, which hinted at reserving a 10% stake in a lucrative venture for Joe Biden, according to the New York Post. This admission came during a deposition that has drawn widespread attention, marking the first instance where Hunter has linked his father to the dealings with CEFC China Energy.
The narrative around the Biden family's business transactions, particularly those involving Hunter Biden's laptop discovered in 2020, has been fraught with controversy. Hunter and his defenders have long contested the legitimacy of the laptop's contents, attributing it to a smear campaign. Yet, in his deposition, Hunter was unequivocal about the reference to his father, albeit dismissing the idea of Joe Biden's direct involvement as a "pie in the sky idea."
Reflecting on the possibility of his father's participation in the business venture, Hunter Biden expressed skepticism, stating, "Like, 'Joe Biden's out of the office. Maybe we'll be able to get him involved.'" This speculative approach, according to Hunter, was unfounded, as Joe Biden had stepped away from public service and was not seeking office at the time.
The House Oversight Committee's scrutiny, led by Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.), has cast the CEFC China Energy deal in a dubious light, with Comer labeling it as "money laundering." This characterization stems from a complex series of financial transactions that saw substantial sums flow from the Chinese firm to the Bidens, culminating in a $40,000 "loan repayment" check to Joe Biden from his brother James.
Hunter Biden's testimony also delved into the familial financial dynamics, portraying his relationship with his father as typical, where mutual financial support was commonplace. Defending his practice of including Joe Biden in calls with business associates, Hunter argued, "My dad calls me, like I'm sure a lot of your parents do, or a lot of you do with your children, and if I'm with people that are friends of mine, I'll have him say hi."
This explanation, however, did little to quell the skepticism among Republicans, with Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) dismissing Hunter Biden's portrayal of his business acumen and suggesting the dealings were less about legitimate business and more akin to bribery.
As the deposition's details continue to emerge, the Biden family finds itself at the center of a storm of scrutiny, with Hunter Biden's admissions providing a rare glimpse into the private and financial intertwinings of one of America's most prominent political families. The revelations are likely to fuel further debate and investigation into the extent of Joe Biden's knowledge and involvement in his son's overseas business ventures.
