Fact Check: "Hunter DID make millions from Even after Biden China & Ukraine denied it in the debate"
What We Know
Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, has been involved in various business dealings in China and Ukraine, which have drawn significant scrutiny. Reports indicate that Hunter Biden was paid millions for his work with companies linked to the Chinese government, including CEFC China Energy, which reportedly paid him approximately $4.8 million for consulting services and other arrangements (source-3). Additionally, Hunter served on the board of the Ukrainian energy company Burisma, where he was compensated while his father was Vice President and overseeing U.S. relations with Ukraine (source-1).
During the 2020 presidential debate, Donald Trump accused Joe Biden of lying about his son's business dealings, asserting that Hunter had profited from foreign sources. In response, Joe Biden denied any wrongdoing and claimed that his son had not engaged in any illegal activities (source-6). The allegations against Hunter have been a focal point in political discourse, particularly regarding potential conflicts of interest and influence peddling.
Analysis
The claim that Hunter Biden made millions from his business dealings in China and Ukraine is substantiated by various reports. For instance, Hunter's involvement with CEFC China Energy and Burisma has been documented, and he was indeed compensated for his roles (source-3; source-1). However, the context of these dealings is crucial. While Hunter Biden's financial gains are clear, the assertion that Joe Biden was complicit or that he directly benefited from these dealings remains unproven. Investigations have not substantiated claims of illegal activity by either Hunter or Joe Biden (source-1; source-2).
Furthermore, the sources of the allegations, particularly those from Trump and his allies, have been criticized for potential bias and lack of evidence. For instance, while Tony Bobulinski, a former business associate of Hunter, claimed to have witnessed Hunter discussing business with Joe Biden, the validity of these claims has been contested (source-1). Additionally, the New York Post's reporting on Hunter's dealings has been labeled as politically motivated, raising questions about its reliability (source-1; source-4).
Conclusion
The claim that "Hunter DID make millions from Even after Biden China & Ukraine denied it in the debate" is Partially True. While it is accurate that Hunter Biden earned significant sums from his business dealings in China and Ukraine, the implications of wrongdoing or direct involvement of Joe Biden in these dealings remain unproven. The evidence supports the financial transactions but does not confirm any illegal activity or unethical conduct by Joe Biden in relation to his son's business affairs.
Sources
- Hunter Biden: What was he doing in China and Ukraine? - BBC
- Hunter Biden tax probe examining Chinese business dealings - AP News
- Hunter Biden was paid millions by Chinese state-linked energy - Yahoo News
- Fact-checking claims about Hunter Biden, Joe Biden, and China - Politifact
- Donald Trump’s accusations about Hunter Biden - Fact Check
- WH insists Biden didn't lie about Hunter's business deals in - New York Post
- Presidential debate: Trump, not Biden, had accepted money - Vox