Joe Biden and his wife Jill lauded their son Hunter for opening up about his struggle with addiction in an interview that aired Monday evening.
The Bidens spoke to CNN’s Chris Cuomo in a wide-ranging interview, answering questions about the 2020 presidential race, but also opening up about personal subjects, including Hunter’s issues.
“We’ve seen the struggle, and we know that most American families are dealing with some sort of struggle like we are,” Jill Biden said in the interview.
“And I think they can relate to us, you know, as parents who are hopeful and are supportive of our son, and we will continue to be supportive. And I think that makes us more empathetic about helping other Americans,” she added.
The former vice president added that his son has “never given up,” despite his addiction.
“He will beat this. This kid, I’m telling you — you know, knew Beau. Beau’s my soul. Hunter’s my heart,” Joe Biden said.
“And Hunter’s been through some tough times, but he’s fighting. He’s fighting. He’s never given up. He’s the most honorable, decent person I know,” he added.
Hunter recently spoke at length about his personal struggles for a profile in the New Yorker magazine.
In March 2017, Page Six reported that Hunter had been having an affair with the widow of his brother Beau Biden, who died of brain cancer in 2015.
Hunter’s estranged wife, Kathleen, also filed for divorce from him in 2017, claiming in court papers that he was blowing the family’s money on booze, drugs, prostitutes and strippers.
Hunter claimed to the New Yorker that he’d never hired prostitutes and hadn’t been to a strip club in years.