Originally published June 24, 2023 8:22 am PDT
A screenshot of a 2017 WhatsApp conversation has emerged showing Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, urging Henry Zhao, a businessman linked to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), to fulfill an apparently incriminating financial commitment.
The exchange is part of evidence provided by an IRS whistleblower.
The screenshot suggests that President Biden was present during the conversation, a claim his administration has consistently denied.
Henry Zhao, a prominent figure in the Chinese business world, is the Chairman of Harvest Fund Management.
As stated on the company’s website, Zhao has transformed Harvest into one of China’s top asset management companies since assuming his position in November 2017, now catering to over 100 million investors.
Zhao also holds roles as Chairman and CCP General Secretary within the firm.
The controversy surrounds an alleged joint venture that Hunter Biden helped facilitate between the Chinese firm Bohai Harvest and Burnham, a firm owned by Devon Archer, Hunter Biden’s business partner.
GOP House investigators examining the Biden family’s business activities are reportedly working with Archer.
The unveiled screenshot from a WhatsApp conversation dated July 30, 2017, appears to show Hunter Biden pressuring Zhao for payment.
The screen capture reveals a message reading, “I am sitting here with my father and we would like to understand why the commitment made has not been fulfilled,” and continues, “And, Z, if I get a call or text from anyone involved in this other than you, Zhang, or the chairman, I will make certain that between the man sitting next to me and every person he knows and my ability to forever hold a grudge that you will regret not following my direction. I am sitting here waiting for the call with my father.”
House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (R-MO) stated on Thursday that the Justice Department has been hindering U.S. Attorney David Weiss from investigating the phrase “Ten held by H for the big guy,” supposedly referring to Joe Biden.
Pictures retrieved from Hunter Biden’s discarded laptop, according to a report, indicate that he was at his father’s residence in Wilmington, Delaware, when the threatening text messages to his Chinese business associate, which referred to his father multiple times, were sent.
A follow-up message from Hunter Biden to Zhao on Aug. 2, 2017, stated, “[m]y family sends their best wishes and looks forward to playing some golf when the director has time.”
In return, Zhao messaged, “[b]est regards to you, Jim and VP,” seemingly referring to Joe Biden and his brother, Jim Biden.
These photographs potentially undermine President Biden’s steadfast assertion of non-involvement in his son’s overseas business deals.
It hints at Hunter Biden’s proximity to his father when he sent the threatening message.
