Hunter Biden's sister-in-law-turned-lover, Hallie Biden, testified on Thursday in a federal court, revealing that Hunter introduced her to crack cocaine in the summer of 2018. Hallie, the widow of Hunter's late brother, Beau Biden, expressed her deep regret and embarrassment about that period of her life. "It was a terrible experience that I went through, and I'm embarrassed and ashamed," she stated.
Hallie recounted that she first discovered Hunter's drug use when she found crack in her Wilmington home. "I found it [crack] and Googled it because I didn't know what it was," she testified. When she confronted Hunter, he confirmed that it was crack cocaine. Hallie testified under immunity, detailing how she began using the drug in June 2018 during a trip to California.
Their relationship, which began in either late 2015 or early 2016, took a dark turn as Hunter's drug use became more apparent. Despite her efforts to help him quit, his addiction persisted. Hallie testified that she witnessed Hunter's erratic behavior, describing him as "agitated [and] high-strung" at times, but functioning normally at others.
During her testimony, Hallie revealed that Hunter continued to use crack daily, even as she attempted to remove drugs and alcohol from his car in a bid to support his sobriety. This effort led her to discover a gun in his Ford Raptor truck on October 23, 2018. "Aside from trash and clothes, I found remnants of crack cocaine, paraphernalia - oh, and the gun, obviously," she testified.
Fearful that Hunter might harm himself or that her children could find the gun, Hallie decided to dispose of it. She wrapped the .38 caliber Colt revolver in a leather pouch, placed it in a shopping bag, and discarded it in a grocery store's public bin. Surveillance footage presented in court showed her disposing of the gun and later returning to search for it, unsuccessfully.
Hunter, realizing the gun was missing, confronted Hallie via text. "Did you take that from me?" he asked, expressing his anger. Hallie admitted her actions to Hunter, who then instructed her to file a police report. The firearm purchase and subsequent disposal are central to the charges against Hunter, who is accused of lying on a federal gun form about his drug use.
Hallie's testimony is part of a broader trial where Hunter faces three gun-related counts. Prosecutors from special counsel David Weiss' office do not need to prove Hunter was high when he bought the gun but must demonstrate his drug use around that time. Text messages from Hunter to Hallie on October 13 and 14, 2018, indicated his ongoing crack use, which Hallie confirmed referred to buying and using crack cocaine.
The trial has also featured testimonies from Hunter's ex-wife, Kathleen Buhle, and ex-girlfriend, Zoe Kestan, both of whom described his substance use disorder. Defense lawyer Abbe Lowell argued that Hunter was battling alcohol addiction rather than drug addiction at the time, suggesting the texts were lies to avoid seeing Hallie.
As Hallie testified, Hunter's current wife, Melissa Cohen Biden, was present in the gallery, supporting him alongside his aunt, Valeria Biden. President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden were absent due to their participation in D-Day commemorations in Normandy, France.
