Fact Check: "Biden was illegally making money as president through Hunter Biden"
What We Know
The claim centers around allegations that President Joe Biden received money from foreign sources through his son, Hunter Biden. According to a report by House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer, Biden allegedly received a personal check for $40,000 from his brother James Biden and sister-in-law Sara Biden, which was described as a "loan repayment" that originated from funds linked to Chinese interests (Comer Reveals How Joe Biden Received Laundered China Money).
The timeline provided indicates that this financial transaction was connected to Hunter Biden's dealings with a Chinese company, CEFC, which is associated with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). In July 2017, Hunter Biden reportedly demanded a $10 million payment from a CEFC associate while claiming his father was present (Comer Reveals Evidence of President Biden's ...). The funds were then transferred through a series of transactions involving various entities, ultimately leading to the check written to Joe Biden.
Analysis
The evidence presented by Comer and the House Oversight Committee raises significant questions about the financial dealings of the Biden family, particularly during Joe Biden's vice presidency. The claim that Biden received money that could be traced back to foreign sources is supported by the documentation provided by Comer, which outlines the financial transactions involving Hunter Biden and CEFC. However, it is crucial to note that the assertion of illegality hinges on the interpretation of these transactions and the context in which they occurred.
Critics of the investigation point out that the funds were described as a "loan repayment," which complicates the narrative of direct financial gain from foreign entities (Comer Reveals Evidence of President Biden's ...). Furthermore, the reliability of the sources involved in these claims, primarily from Republican lawmakers, may introduce bias, as they have a vested interest in portraying the Biden family in a negative light. The investigations have been characterized by some as politically motivated, which raises concerns about the objectivity of the evidence being presented (GOP says Biden family financial records a smoking gun. White House ...).
Additionally, while the transactions are indeed complex and involve significant sums of money, the legal implications of these transactions remain unclear. The distinction between receiving money as a loan repayment versus illicit financial gain is critical in determining the legality of Biden's actions.
Conclusion
The claim that President Biden was illegally making money through Hunter Biden is Partially True. While there is evidence suggesting that Biden received a substantial sum of money that can be traced back to foreign sources, the characterization of this money as "illegally" obtained is not definitively supported by the available evidence. The transactions appear to be convoluted and involve claims of loan repayments, which complicates the narrative of direct financial misconduct. Thus, while there are legitimate concerns regarding the financial dealings of the Biden family, the assertion of illegality requires further substantiation.
