'Hold him accountable': Internet divided as Hunter Biden and Matt Gaetz clash over history of drug use during closed-door testimony

WASHINGTON, DC: The GOP-led House Oversight Committee has released the complete transcript of Hunter Biden's testimony on Thursday, February 29, which was conducted in a closed-door setting on the previous day.

The 229-page document is partially redacted and includes significant exchanges between the committee members and Hunter Biden.

The transcript highlights the clear disconnect between the criminal allegations made repeatedly by House Republicans against Hunter Biden and his father, President Joe Biden, and the evidence and testimony they have made available as part of their impeachment investigation.

During the interrogation, Rep Matt Gaetz explicitly pressed Hunter Biden to reveal if he was “on drugs” to which his attorney drew objection followed by a heated back-and-forth between the First Son and the Florida congressman.

What happened when Rep Gaetz asked Hunter Biden about his drug use in the past?

Hunter Biden's legal counsel objected when Rep Matt Gaetz (R-Fla) asked Hunter if he was "on drugs" while on the board of the Ukrainian oil company Burisma during the grilling, per a report by Salon.

According to the transcript, Hunter shot back at the Sunshine State lawmaker, “Mr. Gaetz, look me in the eye. You really think that’s appropriate to ask me?”

“Absolutely,” Gaetz responded.

“Of all the people sitting around this table, do you think that’s appropriate to ask me?” Hunter inquired of the congressman further.

Notably, a Republican senator, namely, Sen Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma has been among many who have accused Rep Gaetz of using narcotics at parties, according to Business Insider; however, the 41-year-old firebrand Republican has fervently refuted these claims.

Gaetz kept at it, replying, “Yeah. Are you going to answer it?”

“I will answer it this way,” Hunter remarked. “I have been absolutely transparent about my drug use.”

“Again, I spoke to you all earlier this morning about that. I’m sorry; I’m an addict,” he continued. “I was an addict. I have been in recovery for over four and a half years now, Mr Gaetz. I work really, really hard at it.”

Hunter asserted, “Let me answer. I work really hard at it, under an enormous amount of pressure. Was I an addict? Yes, I was an addict. What does that have to do with whether or not you’re going to go forward with an impeachment of my father other than to simply try to embarrass me?”

Internet slams Matt Gaetz for taking a jab at Hunter Biden for his history of substance abuse

People on X lambasted the Florida Republican for going after the younger Biden, the GOP’s most crucial witness in the impeachment investigation against the incumbent President, hoping he’d provide the smoking gun evidence, but ultimately coming up short.

One X user remarked: “A former addict can spot a current addict from across the room."

Another user said: "I'm so glad someone finally didn't let them just push him around. Those people are horrid when they're grilling people who can't fight back - the government employees. This was as good as walking out."

Another user wrote: "Hunter took control of the questions. Don’t they teach in law school you never let the witness control the questioning?"

One user claimed: "If this is the energy Hunter brings to the public hearing, I’m all in."

Another X user remarked: "Good for Hunter ! Give those damn hypocrites a little taste of there own medicine!"

Finally, this user tweeted: "Gaetz is such a dirty lowlife wannabe, his turn should be coming up soon, hold him accountable!"

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.