Hunter Biden Discusses Father's Cancer and Controversial Pardon on BBC Interview
In a BBC Newsnight interview, Hunter Biden described his father Joe Biden's metastatic prostate cancer as painful and reflected on the 2024 debate performance and the presidential pardon granted to him.
Hunter Biden told BBC Newsnight host Paddy O’Connell that his father’s prostate cancer has spread to his bones and is causing significant pain. He said, "It’s really hard, Paddy, and it’s really sad to watch," and added that he wishes his father would complain more about his condition.
The interview also touched on the former president’s appearance at the June 27, 2024 presidential debate, which Biden’s wife Jill described as unusually stiff. Hunter said he watched the debate alone at home and was surprised by his father’s “hundred-yard stare,” noting that the later cancer diagnosis may have affected his performance.
Hunter addressed the controversy surrounding the pardon his father issued in December 2024. He acknowledged that the pardon, which covered alleged offenses dating back to 2014, was widely criticized, stating, "Was it good for our Constitution? … No, on all counts." He also said his father’s concerns about potential political retaliation by the incoming administration appeared to be justified.
The discussion highlighted ongoing debates within the Democratic Party about Joe Biden’s health and the political implications of the pardon.