WILMINGTON, DELAWARE: The federal trial of Hunter Biden on gun charges has taken an unexpected turn with the resurfacing of a 2018 voicemail from his father, President Joe Biden, urging Hunter to seek help for his addiction. This voicemail, initially recovered from Hunter Biden’s abandoned laptop and brought to light by the Daily Mail, coincides with the opening statements in his trial in Delaware on June 4.
Voicemail from 2018 Reemerges During Hunter Biden’s Trial
The voicemail, dated October 15, 2018, reveals President Biden’s concern for his son’s well-being amid his struggles with addiction. In the message, the elder Biden is heard saying, “It’s Dad. I’m calling to tell you I love you. I love you more than the whole world, pal. You’ve gotta get some help. I don’t know what to do, I know you don’t either. I’m here, no matter what you need. No matter what you need, I love you.”
This message resurfaced just as Hunter Biden faces three felony charges related to a gun purchase on October 12, 2018. Prosecutors allege Hunter lied about his drug addiction to buy the firearm, a Colt Cobra .38-caliber revolver, which he allegedly possessed illegally for 11 days before Hallie Biden, his sister-in-law and then-girlfriend, disposed of it.
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Legal Proceedings and Evidence
During a pretrial conference, Judge Maryellen Noreika allowed prosecutors to use select information from Hunter’s laptop but permitted the defense to challenge evidence on a case-by-case basis. Notably, the prosecution is not required to prove Hunter was under the influence of drugs at the time of the purchase.
Prosecutors have also presented excerpts from Hunter’s 2021 memoir, Beautiful Things, and text messages from his laptop that indicate communication with an individual with a criminal record, including gun charges, prior to purchasing the firearm. It remains unclear if these texts will be introduced as evidence.
Social Media Reactions
The Bidens faced considerable trolling on social media following the voicemail’s resurfacing. Comments ranged from criticism of Joe Biden’s advice to Hunter to skepticism about the President’s support for his son amid legal troubles.
Family Support in Court
Despite the controversy, Hunter Biden appeared in court supported by his wife Melissa Cohen, his stepmother First Lady Jill Biden, and his half-sister Ashley Biden. If convicted, he faces up to 25 years in prison.
This trial follows the collapse of a previously arranged plea deal with the Justice Department, which fell apart when Hunter’s defense team discovered it would not protect him from future prosecutions. Beyond the gun charges, Hunter Biden is also scheduled for a trial in Los Angeles in September for allegedly failing to pay $1.4 million in federal taxes between 2016 and 2019, a sum he has since paid.
Conclusion
The resurfacing of Joe Biden’s heartfelt voicemail adds a personal dimension to Hunter Biden’s legal battles. As the trial progresses, the public and media scrutiny on the Biden family continues to intensify, reflecting the complex intersection of personal struggles and public responsibilities.
