The request came during a turbulent time for the president’s son, who was facing multiple federal charges stemming from a long-running investigation involving tax and gun offenses. The DNC, while covering President Joe Biden’s own legal costs related to a separate classified documents probe, declined Hunter Biden’s plea for assistance. That decision left him reliant on private financial backing.
Hunter’s legal troubles had already grown costly by January 2024, with legal bills reaching an estimated $5 million. That figure came to light through the testimony of Kevin Morris, a wealthy entertainment lawyer who had taken on a key financial role in Biden’s defense. Described in media reports as Hunter’s “sugar brother,” Morris had paid over $2 million by mid-2024 to help cover back taxes and provide ongoing support for legal costs.
In addition to his criminal cases, Hunter Biden was also responsible for personal financial obligations. These included court-ordered alimony to ex-wife Kathleen Buhle and child-support payments to Lunden Roberts under a June 2023 settlement. Though not criminal in nature, these payments contributed to his growing financial strain.
Mounting Convictions Added Legal Pressure
The pressure intensified further when, on June 11, 2024, Hunter Biden was convicted on three felony charges related to illegally purchasing and owning a firearm while using drugs. The Delaware case, which had been ongoing for years, became a significant legal and political liability during the presidential election year.
In September 2024, Biden added to his legal challenges by pleading guilty to a series of tax crimes. The Justice Department said he had avoided paying approximately $1.4 million in federal taxes. These charges, paired with the existing conviction in the gun case, painted a bleak picture of Hunter Biden’s legal standing heading into the fall of that year.
Amid those developments, Hunter Biden’s legal team filed suit to recover over $50,000 in unpaid fees. The lawsuit, initiated by the law firm that had defended him in the Delaware gun case, suggested a breakdown in his financial arrangements—even with significant external assistance.
Presidential Pardon Covers a Decade
As President Joe Biden’s first term came to a close, he quietly issued a sweeping pardon to his son. According to official records, the pardon covered all federal offenses Hunter Biden may have committed between Jan. 1, 2014, and Dec. 1, 2024. This move, while legally impactful, was certain to draw political scrutiny and debate.
President Biden had previously expressed concern over his son’s legal battles. According to an account from the upcoming book “2024: How Trump Retook the White House and the Democrats Lost America,” the president told a confidant, “The only thing I care about is that my son is not convicted.”
The pardon did not erase Hunter’s financial problems. According to reporting, Morris’ daughter publicly rebuked Hunter for exploiting her father’s generosity. The accusation added a personal dimension to a financial arrangement that had already raised eyebrows both inside and outside political circles.
Book Sheds Light on Behind-the-Scenes Appeals
Reporters Josh Dawsey, Tyler Pager, and Isaac Arnsdorf reveal the details about Hunter’s appeal to the DNC and the fallout that followed in a new book. Set for release on July 8, Penguin Press will publish the book, which documents the 2024 election cycle and the Democratic Party’s internal struggles.
The authors describe how DNC officials grew increasingly frustrated behind the scenes, reportedly alarmed that anyone would ask them to cover personal legal costs during an election year. With President Biden already under investigation for his handling of classified documents, party leaders decided not to entangle themselves further in Hunter Biden’s legal troubles.
Throughout the year, President Biden also weighed the idea of creating a legal defense fund to help his son. However, he never finalized or publicly launched such a fund by the end of 2024, forcing Hunter Biden’s defenders to depend on private donations and personal arrangements like those with Morris.
An Ongoing Financial and Political Burden
As 2024 drew to a close, Hunter Biden remained at the center of legal, financial and political controversy, despite the presidential pardon. His obligations now included unpaid legal fees, estranged personal relationships, and lingering tax liabilities—even after pleading guilty.
The combination of legal battles and political implications loomed heavily over President Biden’s reelection campaign and the Democratic Party more broadly. The younger Biden’s troubles turned into talking points for Republican lawmakers and candidates seeking to cast doubt on the president’s leadership and family integrity.
With the publication of the new book in July 2025, more internal details about Hunter Biden’s efforts to solicit financial assistance from political channels are now coming to light. These disclosures raise ongoing questions about the intersection of personal legal battles and public political institutions.
