Hunter Biden has offered a rare break from his usual defense of his father while discussing the war in Gaza. Under questioning from British journalist Mehdi Hasan, he conceded that Joe Biden’s decision to keep arming Israel was, in retrospect, a mistake.
The admission echoes years of criticism the 46th president faced from Democrats and members of his own administration over U.S. military support for Israel as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsened.
Hunter Biden has acknowledged that his father made the wrong call by continuing to supply Israel with weapons during the war in Gaza. The former president’s son made the admission during an interview with journalist Mehdi Hasan, who challenged him over Joe Biden’s military and diplomatic support for Israel.
Hasan noted that Hunter has described the conflict as a genocide and asked whether it could have unfolded without the roughly $18 billion in weapons supplied under his father’s administration. “Well, maybe not. Of course not. I don’t know,” Hunter replied before saying he “100%” condemned what happened.
Pressed directly on whether his father was wrong to send the weapons, Hunter initially answered “no” before changing course. “In hindsight, it was wrong,” he said.
Joe Biden’s Gaza Policy Deepened Divisions Inside His Own Party
4Joe Biden became one of Israel’s strongest international backers after Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 attack, but pressure over that stance quickly began building inside his own administration and party.
Reuters later revealed that senior State Department and Pentagon officials were warning the White House within days of the attack about the humanitarian consequences of Israel’s response. One Pentagon official cautioned that the proposed mass evacuation of northern Gaza could become a “humanitarian catastrophe.”
As casualties mounted, Biden also faced increasing resistance from Democrats in Congress. In February 2024, he issued a directive requiring countries receiving U.S. military assistance to provide assurances that American weapons were being used in accordance with international humanitarian law.
Former Biden Officials Admit Regrets Over Gaza
4Like Hunter, several senior figures in the Joe Biden administration have since acknowledged that Washington should have done more to restrain Israel. Former National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said officials repeatedly considered withholding weapons but held back while pursuing a ceasefire and hostage deal.
Sullivan now sees flaws in that calculation. “We should have put more pressure on Israel to take a different approach,” he told The New Yorker. He also acknowledged spending sleepless nights thinking about what the U.S. could have done differently.
Former Secretary of State Antony Blinken has also expressed remorse. Asked about the consequences for Palestinian civilians, he questioned how anyone could avoid having regrets given the toll on “innocent men, women and children.”
Hunter Biden Turns To Podcasts To Tell His Side Of The Story
4Hunter’s surprising admission comes amid a much broader push to reclaim his public image after years of scandals and investigations.
The 56-year-old has embarked on an extensive media run, appearing on podcasts and news programs while also publishing his own essays. His interviewers have ranged from California Gov. Gavin Newsom to conservative personalities Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens.
Hunter has shown few signs of avoiding uncomfortable subjects. He has discussed his drug addiction, legal troubles and presidential pardon, while taking shots at political figures and journalists along the way.
Hunter Biden Shares Emotional Update On His Father’s Cancer
4Hunter’s recent candor has also extended to deeply personal matters involving his father.
During an August interview with BBC “Newsnight,” he revealed that Joe’s prostate cancer had spread beyond his bones and described watching his father suffer as “really sad.” Hunter said the disease was causing considerable pain, but maintained that the former president remained determined to speak publicly about issues important to him.
Hunter also defended accepting a controversial presidential pardon from Joe in 2024 despite acknowledging the privilege involved. He said the pair had not discussed it beforehand and argued that Donald Trump’s pursuit of “revenge and retribution” ultimately validated his father’s concerns.
