Hunter Biden fires back at Jake Tapper over criticism of Jill's memoir: 'Let me get this straight'

WASHINGTON, DC: Hunter Biden publicly defended his stepmother, former first lady Jill Biden, on Wednesday, June 3, after CNN anchor Jake Tapper used her new memoir to criticize the Biden family.

The clash follows the recent publication of Jill’s book, 'View From the East Wing,' in which she reflects on her time in the White House and expresses regret over not speaking more openly about her son's past struggle with addiction.

Jake Tapper challenges Jill Biden memoir

In a video posted to CNN’s social media, Tapper challenged Jill Biden’s assertions in her memoir that her husband would have willingly stepped down if he were incapable of serving and that his staff would not have allowed him to remain in office if he showed signs of cognitive impairment.

Tapper disputed these claims, calling them “very hard to believe, if not downright false” and labeling the former first lady the “Queen of Omission."

Tapper’s commentary follows a long-standing journalistic stance he has taken, further detailed in his book, 'Original Sin: President Biden's Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again,' co-authored with Alex Thompson.

The book documents allegations that staff shielded the former president from public scrutiny to conceal his physical and cognitive decline.

Hunter Biden targets Trump family business ties

Hunter Biden took to his official X account to push back against the anchor’s comments. “So let me get this straight. Jake Tapper is focused on attacking my Mom,” Biden wrote.

He then listed several recent activities involving members of the Trump family: “Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump are building a private island paradise on Albanian protected land.”

He continued, “Don Jr married the daughter of Epstein’s banker, and a startup his fund backs just got a record $620M Pentagon loan.”

He also stated, “Eric Trump is taking an Israeli drone company public for $1.5B in the middle of a war with Iran that nobody wanted.” He concluded the post with a self-aware, dismissive nod to the frequent criticisms of his own career: “And I know: ‘But what about your paintings, Hunter?’ Please.”

Rather than directly addressing Tapper's criticism of Jill's memoir, Hunter broadened the argument by highlighting business activities involving members of the Trump family.

His response framed the issue as a question of media priorities, contrasting scrutiny of the Biden family with what he portrayed as insufficient attention to the financial and political activities of Trump's relatives.

Biden family navigates health and political scrutiny

This public disagreement comes as the Biden family navigates the aftermath of their time in the White House and the former president’s ongoing health struggles.

In 2025, the family disclosed that Joe Biden had been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer that had spread to his bones.

Meanwhile, Jill has recently discussed the challenges of this period, noting in her book and during media appearances that she felt they were “partly in denial” about Hunter’s addiction and that the scrutiny of her husband's performance during the 2024 election was a difficult chapter for their family.