In a surprising turn of events at a White House press briefing on Wednesday, July 5, Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre dodged a pointed question regarding President Joe Biden’s acknowledgement, or lack of it, toward his granddaughter living in Arkansas—the daughter of his son, Hunter Biden. The question, directed by a reporter, was forwarded against the backdrop of an issue recently brought to light in a New York Times report, making it a matter of public concern. As such, the response—or, more accurately, the absence of it—has elicited strong reactions and stirred a significant controversy.
White House reporter brings up an NY Times article on Hunter Biden's daughter in Arkansas and asks if the president acknowledges the little girl as his granddaughter.
KARINE: "I don't have anything to share from here. pic.twitter.com/bUmYXlyqV4
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) July 5, 2023
The New York Times’ feature, published on July 1, traces the life of Hunter Biden’s unidentified 4-year-old daughter residing in rural Arkansas. The report reveals that the child, despite being aware of her father and grandfather’s identities, has never met either of them in person. She reportedly speaks about both frequently: a curious situation given the distinctive silence maintained by her paternal family.
Yet the plot thickens. Thursday, July 6, saw an end to Hunter Biden and the child’s mother, Lunden Alexis Roberts’, prolonged court struggle over child support. Notably, during the legal confrontation, Hunter Biden was reported to have resisted granting his daughter his surname.
One of the most significant and potentially explosive allegations in the Times’ report was aimed at President Biden himself. Central to his public persona is his commitment to his family, which includes his only surviving son, Hunter. However, during strategy meetings, his aides have consistently been instructed to consider the president as a grandfather to six, not seven, grandchildren. This detail is a result of discussions that two insiders are privy to.
The concern circling President Biden’s allies is palpable. They fear this situation may hinder his chances for re-election by drawing undue attention to his son Hunter—who some Democrats perceive as a liability. In April, during an event at the White House, President Biden himself stated he had six grandchildren—a claim that conspicuously omits Hunter’s daughter. “I have six grandchildren and I’m crazy about them. I speak to them every single day. Not a joke,” he declared.
BIDEN: "I have six grandchildren…"
Unmentioned: Hunter's 4-year-old daughter, who the Bidens refuse to acknowledge pic.twitter.com/XRrgPollou
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) April 27, 2023
Adding to the familial discord, in a candid interview with the Times, Lunden Alexis Roberts affirmed that her daughter takes immense pride in who her father and grandfather are. “That is something that I would never allow her to think otherwise,” Roberts determinedly stated.
To conclude, this ongoing saga revolves around the alleged refusal of President Biden to acknowledge his granddaughter publicly. The potentially concerning situation has generated conversations around familial devotion, transparency in public office, and the impact of private affairs on public lives. However, against a backdrop of public image and commitment to family, the silence surrounding the existence of a little girl in Arkansas belonging to the Biden lineage raises questions about the nature of presidential persona and accountability. With the reelections looming and attention drawn disproportionately towards his son, this saga may shadow the president’s campaign unless a clear-cut answer is provided by the White House. As the plot thickens within this intricate familial web, the coming days will reveal where the truth truly lies and whether the president steps forward to clear the speculations, thereby echoing the mantra of transparency and truth he promised to uphold.
