Hunter Biden appeared on HBO's "Real Time with Bill Maher" on Friday, where he engaged in a discussion about the ongoing conflict involving Iran. During the conversation, Bill Maher interjected to challenge Biden's assertion that "nobody asked for" the war, pointing out that Democratic politicians and various presidents have historically opposed Iran's nuclear ambitions.
Biden stated that Jared Kushner, former President Donald Trump's son-in-law, acted as an "unelected, unappointed emissary to the Middle East for a war that nobody asked for." Maher responded, "Not nobody," prompting Biden to concede that "Bibi Netanyahu asked for it." Maher then elaborated, reminding Biden that "Every Democrat said Iran can't have nuclear weapons" and that "every president since Jimmy Carter refused what the Israelis wanted, which was to bomb Iran." Biden agreed, adding that Trump was the "only person who fell for it."
The conversation also turned to Biden's business dealings and the perception of profiting from his father's name. Biden asserted that he did not conduct any business while his father, President Joe Biden, was in the White House. He stated he sold paintings, earning an average of $225,000 per year, to individuals who later testified before Congress.
Maher then questioned Biden's tenure on the board of Burisma Holdings, a Ukrainian energy company, from 2014 to 2019, which coincided with his father's vice presidency. Maher asked if working for such a company was related to Biden's legal studies at Yale Law School, suggesting he obtained the position due to his father's influence. Biden eventually acknowledged the privilege associated with his family name, stating, "I'm incredibly privileged. I mean, beyond anyone’s wildest imagination, not only because of who my dad was, but because of the father that he was. And so a lot of privilege comes from that, and I don’t deny that in any way."
Separately, the report notes that Kushner met with Hamas leaders in Egypt over the weekend, reportedly to discuss disarming Gaza as part of a peace plan. The United States and Iran have been engaged in conflict for approximately 175 days, with escalating tensions and threats concerning the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil transport. Iran has previously vowed to halt oil flow through the waterway if threatened.