Politics
WATCH: Biden Snaps After Reporter’s Grilling On Foreign Influence Peddling: ‘Bunch Of Lies!’
In Wednesday’s press briefing, President Joe Biden faced tough questioning from reporters about his and his family’s business dealings, leading to a terse exchange.
An Associated Press poll showed that a significant portion of Americans, including 40% of Democrats, harbor concerns about the legality and ethics of the Biden family’s business interests.
When asked to address these concerns and explain his interactions with his son and brother’s foreign business associates, President Biden’s response was curt and dismissive. “I’m not going to comment on it… I did not. It was just a bunch of lies,” he stated, shutting down further questions on the matter.
The response, while straightforward, did little to quell the swirling allegations and doubts. Critics have long argued that the President’s refusal to engage in a detailed discussion has done a disservice to the public’s right to understand the full scope of his family’s international business engagements.
On Monday, the House Oversight Committee led by Representative James Comer (R-KY), disclosed subpoenaed bank records indicating that Hunter Biden’s business entity, Owasco P.C., made direct monthly payments to President Biden.
The disclosure has challenged Biden’s previous assertions about his non-involvement in his family’s business dealings, as well as raising serious questions about potential conflicts of interest. “President Joe Biden claimed there was an ‘absolute wall’ between his official government duties and his family’s influence peddling schemes,” Comer said.
“This was a lie.”
The Oversight Committee’s investigation brought to light that these were not mere personal transactions from Hunter Biden’s account, but payments from a corporate entity that has been receiving funds from various sources, including China. This has been particularly concerning given the ongoing Department of Justice investigation into Hunter for allegations of tax evasion and other serious offenses.
“This wasn’t a payment from Hunter Biden’s personal account but an account for his corporation that received payments from China and other shady corners of the world.” The committee’s efforts have been bolstered by whistleblower testimony and a federal judge’s rejection of a proposed plea deal, which hinted at a possible cover-up attempt by the Justice Department to protect the Bidens.
“When Joe Biden was Vice President, he spoke by phone, attended dinners, and had coffee with his son’s foreign business associates,” said Comer. “He allowed his son to catch a ride on Air Force Two at least a dozen times to sell the “Biden Brand” around the world.”
When asked about the allegations on Tuesday, Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre abruptly ended the press conference. “I have not seen that report, so I would have to refer you to my colleagues over at the White House Counsel’s Office on that particular question,” Jean-Pierre said.
The evidence of direct payments to Joe Biden from Hunter’s business entity is a significant development in the ongoing Biden family saga. The committee has highlighted multiple instances where Joe Biden, during his tenure as Vice President, engaged with his son’s foreign business associates, including in phone calls, dinners, and meetings.
For now, the President’s firm denial stands as his official response to a controversy that is far from resolved.