WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Friday for the primary time publicly acknowledged his seventh grandchild, a four-year-old lady fathered by his son Hunter with an Arkansas lady, Lunden Roberts, in 2018.
“Our son Hunter and Navy’s mom, Lunden, are working collectively to foster a relationship that’s in the very best pursuits of their daughter, preserving her privateness as a lot as doable going ahead,” Biden mentioned in an announcement. It was his first acknowledgement of the kid.
“This isn’t a political concern, it’s a household matter,” he mentioned. “Jill and I solely need what’s greatest for all of our grandchildren, together with Navy.”
Hunter Biden’s paternity was established by DNA testing after Roberts sued for baby assist, and the 2 events lately resolved excellent baby assist points. The president’s son wrote about his encounter with Roberts in his 2021 memoir, saying it got here whereas he was deep in dependancy to alcohol and medicines, together with crack cocaine.
“I had no recollection of our encounter,” he wrote. “That’s how little connection I had with anybody. I used to be a multitude, however a multitude I’ve taken duty for.”
An legal professional for Roberts didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
The president, who has made a dedication to household central to his public persona, has confronted rising criticism from political rivals and pundits for failing to acknowledge the granddaughter. In keeping with an individual acquainted with the matter, he was taking the cue from his son whereas the authorized proceedings performed out. The particular person spoke on situation of anonymity to debate personal issues.
Hunter Biden has 4 different kids, together with a son, Beau, born by his spouse Melissa Cohen in 2020. He was named after the president’s late son who died of most cancers in 2015, abandoning two kids.
Biden’s grandchildren have performed a particular function in his presidency, typically accompanying the president or first girl on journeys and making common visits to the White Home. The president has additionally credited his grandchildren with persuading him to problem then-President Donald Trump for the White Home in 2020.
Biden’s assertion was first reported by Individuals Journal.