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Hunter Biden tells BBC his pardon was 'not good' for America or his father's legacy

August 7, 2026

Hunter Biden gave an extensive interview to BBC Newsnight acknowledging that the presidential pardon he received from his father, former President Joe Biden, was detrimental to both America and his father's reputation, though he defended it as necessary protection from potential targeting by the Trump administration. He disclosed that his father's cancer has metastasized to his bones and caused significant pain, expressing concern about watching his father's difficult health battle. Biden opened up about the severity of his past addiction, describing drinking nearly a gallon of vodka daily while using crack cocaine every fifteen minutes at his lowest point.

Who is affected

  • Hunter Biden (recipient of the pardon)
  • Former President Joe Biden (who granted the pardon and is battling metastatic cancer)
  • The American people and the Constitution (according to Hunter Biden's acknowledgment)
  • Joe Biden's political legacy
  • People recovering from addiction (whom Hunter Biden mentioned helping)

What action is being taken

  • Joe Biden remains politically engaged and is determined to continue speaking publicly
  • Hunter Biden is helping others recover from addiction

Why it matters

  • This matters because it involves the controversial use of presidential pardon power for a family member, which Hunter Biden himself acknowledges undermines public trust and constitutional fairness. The revelation about Joe Biden's advanced cancer spreading to his bones provides significant context for his 2024 debate performance and subsequent withdrawal from the presidential race. The admission that the pardon was granted partly due to fears of political targeting under the Trump administration highlights concerns about weaponization of the justice system and the difficult position of a president choosing between institutional norms and protecting his son.

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC

Hunter Biden tells BBC his pardon was 'not good' for America or his father's legacy