A newly active X account bearing the name of Hunter Biden drew responses from Republican lawmakers and prominent social media personalities after posting its first public message on Tuesday, sparking a wave of commentary about the former first son.
The account, @HunterBiden, which was first launched in 2013 but had remained dormant until this week, posted: "I'm Hunter Biden. You've never actually heard from me." The profile describes the account holder as an "Artist. Author. Recovery Advocate." Fox News Digital reached out to X and Hunter Biden's art gallery for verification on whether the account belongs to him but did not receive confirmation.
What the Left Is Saying
Supporters of the former first son pointed to his ongoing efforts at rehabilitation and public reemergence following years of personal struggles. The account links to his art gallery website, which also connects to a YouTube page and Substack account associated with Hunter Biden's professional ventures.
Democratic allies have largely remained quiet on the development, as has been typical of responses to controversies surrounding the president's son during Joe Biden's administration. Hunter Biden published a memoir titled "Beautiful Things: A Memoir" in 2021 detailing his battle with substance abuse and family tragedies from his own perspective.
The account reposted a video trailer for an upcoming interview with conservative commentator Candace Owens, writing: "She's got questions. I've got answers. Thursday." This suggests the account is part of a coordinated media strategy as Hunter Biden continues efforts to rebuild his public image following years of legal and personal challenges.
What the Right Is Saying
Republican lawmakers quickly responded to the post with mockery, focusing on controversies that have surrounded Hunter Biden for years. Tennessee Sen. Marsha Blackburn wrote: "Your laptop's reputation precedes you," referencing ongoing debates about a laptop device associated with Hunter Biden that became a subject of political controversy.
"We've heard plenty," Republican Indiana Sen. Jim Banks responded. Missouri Rep. Jason Smith wrote: "Trust me, we've heard and seen ENOUGH from you."
Conservative commentator Nick Sortor posted: "Oh this oughta be good." Fox News contributor Mary Katharine Ham noted: "Very real chance he doesn't remember that we have, in fact, heard from him in hours of podcasting before now." Some social media users joked about a potential 2028 presidential run, with one writing "He's running" and another describing the former first son as "The 2028 Dark Horse Candidate."
What the Numbers Show
Hunter Biden's legal record remains part of public record. In September 2024, he pleaded guilty to nine federal tax charges in California for a scheme evading more than $1.4 million in taxes from 2016 to 2019. In June 2024, he was convicted in Delaware on charges related to lying on a federal form about his drug use when purchasing a firearm in 2018.
President Joe Biden issued a pardon covering any offense Hunter Biden "has committed or may have committed" between January 1, 2014, and December 1, 2024. The pardon encompassed both the tax charges and firearms conviction.
The @HunterBiden account has garnered thousands of followers since its first public post on Tuesday, according to social media metrics tracked by Fox News Digital.
The Bottom Line
Whether or not the X account is actually controlled by Hunter Biden remains unverified. Fox News Digital was unable to confirm ownership despite reaching out to both X and representatives connected to his art gallery business.
The development comes as Hunter Biden, now 56, has been attempting to rebuild his public image following years of controversy involving drug addiction, legal troubles, and scrutiny surrounding his foreign business dealings. The coordinated media appearances, including the upcoming interview with Owens, suggest an effort to control his narrative going forward.
GOP lawmakers have signaled continued interest in scrutinizing Hunter Biden's activities. What happens next will likely depend on whether additional verification of the account's ownership emerges and how Republicans choose to respond to what some are characterizing as a deliberate attempt at public image rehabilitation.