Hunter Biden is not Van Gogh. In addition to possessing both ears, Hunter’s art has received widespread criticism outside of an enabling media following. However, he argues that he is also a hungry artist. The problem appears to be that, as predicted years before, his influence-peddling revenues dwindled after his father left office.
His lawyers now want him to pay the $17 million he owes them. Hunter claims that not only is he broke, but so is his family.
Hunter claimed in a deposition in ongoing litigation with the law firm Winston Taylor that he is unable to pay his lawyers $17 million in fees for representing him in criminal prosecutions, congressional investigations, and civil cases.
Hunter stated under evidence, “I don’t own anything of value other than — and I don’t know the value of — my paintings, which I painted myself.” So that’s it. And I don’t have any other assets, such as equities, bonds, or savings accounts.
He further noted, “My family doesn’t have any money, and it’s not their debt anyway.”
The statement regarding his family is intriguing, given that Joe and Jill Biden recently got many book contracts and were estimated to be worth millions. However, according to the Wall Street Journal, Joe Biden is in debt for $800,000 and, paradoxically, has increased property taxes on his $2.7 million mansion in his blue state of Delaware. (Moving to Florida, like many others fleeing blue-state taxes, is not an option for the Bidens).
Worse, no one wants Biden to give speeches or make appearances, which would cut off his considerable post-presidency income. Not only is Biden’s ability to deliver a speech clearly degraded, but many Democrats blame him for Trump’s reelection by clinging to power despite his obvious failing mental and physical health.
Of course, the former president still receives more than $400,000 a year in government pensions.
But, in the end, Hunter is accurate. It is not their debt unless they have signed as guarantors for any loan.
Hunter remains the media darling, with podcasts and interviews, and some have even called for him to run for president. He has spent most of his life in mansions and expensive hotels. However, affluent Democratic donors and associates financed this lifestyle.
What is astonishing is Hunter’s ability to burn through millions of dollars earned through alleged influence peddling and dubious dealings.
Notably, Fox News adds that the law firm, which is known for defending Democratic figures, attempted to connect Biden with benefactors to assist him pay his legal fees but was unsuccessful. With his father out of power, no one is willing to fund his lifestyle or purchase his artwork.
Hunter’s swaggering threats to intimidate foreign figures are no longer effective. There was a time when he could just pick up the phone and send a text message to a Chinese businessman, publicly threatening Joe Biden’s dissatisfaction if money was not provided to them quickly. In the WhatsApp chat, Hunter stated:
“I am sitting here with my father, and we would like to know why the commitment we made has not been honored. Tell the director that I want to address this now, before it gets out of hand, which means tonight. And, Z, if I receive a call or text from anyone engaged in this other than you, Zhang, or the Chairman, I will make certain that between the man sitting next to me and everyone he knows, as well as my ability to hold a grudge forever, you will regret not following my instructions. I am sitting here, waiting for a call from my father.”
Nobody is answering right now.
Hunter stated that he is now virtually impoverished: “I have no assets. I do not possess an automobile. I don’t own a telephone.”
Even his recent dubious $1.7 million award in a defamation case was quickly claimed by the law firm, which can and should be appealed.
Hunter has written extensively about his fight with drugs and alcohol. It is an incredible accomplishment to have overcome such addictions. However, the accounts would be more compelling if he had not launched a scathing campaign against detractors while sober. He sued or threatened to sue a wide range of persons in an attempt to intimidate them into silence. Kevin Morris, his buddy and sponsor, threatened me with a slander lawsuit when I wrote about their unusual relationship.
Hunter gamed the system with his crimes and was only released from prison because his father broke his repeated public commitment not to pardon his son.
Hunter, on the other hand, is expected to live comfortably as a high class ward. He is still the left’s favorite, a foul-mouthed prophet who claims to have been emancipated by his own excesses. For those of us who have long criticized his behavior, it feels all too familiar.
Hunter makes even being broke appear like a scam.
Jonathan Turley is a law professor and the New York Times best-selling author of the book “Rage and the Republic: The Unfinished Story of the American Revolution.”
