Key facts
- Hunter Biden is engaging with critics and trolls on X with honesty and dark humor.
- He participated in an interview with conservative podcaster Candace Owens.
- Biden has used his scandals to contrast with Trumpworld.
- Some critics remain unconvinced, arguing his candor does not address corruption questions.
- Biden embraced the title 'MAGA whisperer'.
Hunter Biden is undergoing a public reinvention, aiming to charm and disarm internet trolls by openly discussing his past addiction and legal troubles. Seven years sober, he has adopted a raw, self-deprecating candor that has garnered some grudging respect and empathy from former critics. This shift began with a nearly two-hour interview with conservative podcaster Candace Owens, where Biden acknowledged his past struggles, and Owens apologized for treating him as a caricature. Biden has continued this approach on X, directly engaging with critics using honesty and dark humor. For instance, when accused of leaving cocaine at the White House, he responded humorously, and when a MAGA account expressed distaste for drug use, he agreed, stating, 'It was awful.' Politically, Biden has leveraged his scandals to contrast with 'Trumpworld,' arguing that the focus on a 'Biden crime family' distracts from alleged Trump family profiteering. He portrayed his father, Joe Biden, as separate from elite corruption, stating he was 'never part of the Epstein class' and never used public office for personal gain. Biden also criticized CNN's Jake Tapper for what he perceived as a softer stance on Trump and his family compared to coverage of Joe Biden. However, not all critics are swayed by this reinvention, with some arguing that owning his addiction does not address corruption concerns. Critics also suggest that Biden's détente with Owens involved indulging her conspiracy theories. Biden himself appears amused by his newfound viral fame, embracing the title 'MAGA whisperer' and advocating for 'radical honesty.'