The president on Friday for the primary time publicly acknowledged his seventh grandchild, a 4-year-old woman fathered by his son Hunter with an Arkansas lady, Lunden Roberts, in 2018. AP Photograph/Charles Krupa
By ZEKE MILLER, Related Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Friday for the primary time publicly acknowledged his seventh grandchild, a 4-year-old woman 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 potential going ahead,” Biden mentioned in a press release. It was his first acknowledgement of the kid.
“This isn’t a political difficulty, it’s a household matter,” he mentioned. “Jill and I solely need what’s finest 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 not too long ago 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 lawyer 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 growing criticism from political rivals and pundits for failing to acknowledge the granddaughter. Based on an individual accustomed to 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 non-public issues.
Hunter Biden has 4 different youngsters, together with a son, Beau, born to his spouse Melissa Cohen in 2020. He was named after the president’s late son who died of most cancers in 2015, forsaking two youngsters.
Biden’s grandchildren have performed a particular function in his presidency, typically accompanying the president or first woman 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.
