Just months after his father’s sweeping pardon erased his federal gun and tax convictions, Hunter Biden is now publicly entertaining a run for the White House in 2028.
The 56-year-old son of former President Joe Biden told radio host John Catsimatidis on “The Cats Roundtable” that he “may have to” seek the presidency, though he insisted he hasn’t made a final decision. When Catsimatidis asked directly about his plans, Biden played coy: “If I get your endorsement, I may have to.”
The timing raises eyebrows. In December 2024, President Joe Biden granted his son a full and unconditional pardon, eliminating federal convictions before Hunter ever faced sentencing. Now, less than two years later, Hunter Biden is positioning himself as a potential leader who would demand adherence to the law.
“Here is my qualification for becoming president, if you believe in the Constitution of the United States of America that you swear to uphold and protect,” Biden said in the Sunday interview. “I want the next president to commit to one thing: to adhering to the rule of law.”
The statement stands in stark contrast to his own troubled legal history.
If he were to launch a campaign, Biden said his focus would center on addiction treatment and awareness. “The things I care most about is the 50 million Americans that are still suffering with their addictions,” he remarked.
During the radio interview, Biden also offered praise for several Democratic figures he sees as future party leaders. He pointed to Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker as examples of strong candidates.
“The truth of the matter is that I think we have an incredible bench,” Biden said, before adding, “I love Gavin Newsom, personally.”
The mention of California’s governor alongside Beshear and Pritzker suggests Biden sees the Democratic Party’s path forward running through executive experience at the state level.
Whether Hunter Biden actually enters the 2028 race remains uncertain. His comments Sunday represent the clearest signal yet that he’s at least considering it. A campaign built around addiction awareness would attempt to transform his most public weakness into a platform for national leadership.
A Hunter Biden candidacy would test whether a message of recovery and redemption can overcome a record that includes federal convictions, however pardoned, and allegations of trading on his family name.
