Jill Biden appears at Hunter gun trial as dad Joe hails ‘inspiring’ son
WILMINGTON, Del. — First son Hunter Biden received some powerful family support on the first day of his federal gun trial Monday — with his stepmother, first lady Jill Biden, and half-sister Ashley in attendance while President Biden issued a statement calling his son “inspiring.”
Hunter, 54, walked into court around 8:10 a.m., wearing a suit and tie and holding hands with wife Melissa Cohen as his defense attorneys trailed behind him.
The first son — who was outwardly calm and composed — did not speak or answer reporter questions on his way inside, but had to engage in some fancy footwork to avoid tripping over a security barrier.
Moments later, Jill Biden — who celebrated her 73rd birthday Monday — showed up to the courthouse, clad in a purple suit, after most of the media had been let inside the building.
Later in the morning, President Biden issued a statement saying: “Jill and I love our son and we are so proud of the man he is today.
“Hunter’s resilience in the face of adversity and the strength he has brought to his recovery are inspiring to us,” his dad added. “A lot of families have loved ones who have overcome addiction and know what we mean.”
The commander-in-chief made a show of declining to comment on specifics of the case against his son, but did say that “as a Dad, I have boundless love for my son, confidence in him, and respect for his strength.”
“Our family has been through a lot together, and Jill and I are going to continue to be there for Hunter and our family with our love and support.”
The campaign of presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump — who was convicted in his own criminal trial last week — took aim at his Democratic adversary while wishing the younger Biden well.
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“A deeply troubled degenerate who sold out his country and disgraced his family, Crooked Joe Biden is now a failed President running a losing campaign,” spokesman Steven Cheung said. “As for Hunter, we wish him well in his recovery and legal affairs.
“Only President Trump can Make America Great Again,” Cheung added.
The first son’s primary patron, Kevin Morris, a Hollywood lawyer sometimes referred to as Hunter’s “sugar brother,” arrived earlier and was accompanied by Ashley.
While Ashley Biden departed the courthouse early Monday afternoon, Jill Biden stayed through the entire day’s proceedings, which included the selection of a jury, and embraced her stepson with a kiss before leaving.
Hunter is the first offspring of a sitting president to stand trial. He faces three counts including illegal possession of a firearm while addicted to crack cocaine and knowingly lying about his dependency while filling out a federal background check form.
The trial comes on the heels of Donald Trump’s bombshell conviction in a hush money scheme Thursday — which marked the first time a president has ever been found guilty of crimes. Both trials could have implications for the outcome of the 2024 presidential election.
Prosecutors say Hunter purchased a Colt Cobra .38-caliber revolver on Oct. 12, 2018, after marking “No” in response to a question on an application form about whether he was a user of controlled substances.
He illegally had the gun for 11 days before Hallie Biden, his sister-in-law-turned-lover, threw the weapon into the garbage, prosecutors say.
Hallie is slated to be called as a prosecution witness, as is Hunter’s ex-wife, Kathleen Buhle.
The Biden son faces up to 25 years behind bars if convicted. He’s pleaded not guilty to all three charges.
Last year, Hunter had been slated to plead guilty under the terms of a plea agreement reached 12 months ago, but the deal abruptly broke down in court after his side discovered the agreement wouldn’t protect him from other potential prosecutions.
The younger Biden also faces a separate trial in September in Los Angeles for allegedly skipping out on paying $1.4 million in federal tax income from 2016 through 2019 — though the tab has since been paid.
Additional reporting by Diana Glebova
With Post wires
