Fact Check: "Hunter DID make millions from Even after Biden China & Ukraine denied it in the debate and this directly goes against what Joe Biden said in the debate in 2020 with Donald Trump is false"
What We Know
During the 2020 presidential debates, Joe Biden asserted that his son, Hunter Biden, had not made any money from business dealings in China. In a notable exchange during the second debate on October 22, 2020, Biden stated, “My son has not made money in terms of this thing about, what are you talking about, China” (source-1). This claim was made in the context of accusations from Donald Trump, who alleged that Hunter had profited significantly from dealings in China and Ukraine.
However, recent developments have revealed that Hunter Biden, in court testimony, acknowledged having received substantial payments from Chinese entities. Specifically, he reported nearly $2.4 million in income in 2017 and $2.2 million in 2018, much of which was linked to Chinese and Ukrainian business interests (source-1). This testimony marks the first official confirmation from Hunter that he earned money from China, contradicting his father's statements during the debates.
Analysis
The claim that Hunter Biden made millions from China and Ukraine is supported by his own recent admissions in court, where he detailed earnings from business dealings that occurred after Joe Biden's vice presidency. This includes payments from a Chinese energy conglomerate, CEFC, and fees from Burisma, a Ukrainian energy company (source-1).
However, it is essential to consider the context of Joe Biden's statements. Biden's assertions during the debates were likely framed around the time period when he was vice president, as he claimed that Hunter had not made money during that time (source-1). The payments Hunter received from China and Ukraine occurred after Biden left office, which could indicate a narrow interpretation of the question posed during the debates.
Moreover, while Hunter's acknowledgment of income from these sources is significant, it does not directly implicate Joe Biden in any wrongdoing or suggest that he benefited from his son's business dealings (source-2). The lack of evidence showing that Joe Biden was involved in or aware of these transactions further complicates the narrative surrounding this claim.
Conclusion
The claim that Hunter Biden made millions from China and Ukraine is Partially True. While Hunter has indeed confirmed that he earned significant sums from business dealings in these countries, Joe Biden's statements during the debates were likely based on a specific interpretation of the timeline and context of those earnings. Thus, while the assertion contradicts Biden's claims, it does not necessarily imply that he was dishonest, as the payments occurred after his vice presidency.
Sources
- Biden said his son earned no money from China. ... Washington Post
- Hunter Biden: What was he doing in China and Ukraine? BBC
- Joe Biden defends son Hunter Biden under pressure from ... USA Today
- Donald Trump’s accusations about Hunter Biden - Fact Check AFP Fact Check
- The hard-to-follow 11-minute debate clash over foreign ... Politico
- Trump attacks Biden over son's business dealings in first ... The Hill
- Hunter & China -- Biden at Last Presidential Debate: 'My Son ... National Review
- Trump, not Biden, had accepted money from foreign interests Vox
