Hunter Biden Considers Presidential Run in 2028

<p>Hunter Biden stated that he "may have to" enter the 2028 presidential race during an interview on September 6, 2026, with radio host John Catsimatidis on WABC's "Cats Roundtable." This marks a change from his earlier dismissals of the idea.</p><p>In the interview, Biden was asked about a potential White House bid. He responded, "If I get your endorsement, I may have to," referring to Catsimatidis, a billionaire grocery chain owner and ally of former President Donald Trump. Biden expressed concern for the approximately 50 million Americans he claims are still struggling with addiction.</p><p>When asked about his qualifications for office, Biden referenced the Constitution, stating, "He is my qualification for becoming president, if you believe in the Constitution of the United States of America that you swear to uphold and protect." He emphasized the importance of the next president adhering to the rule of law.</p><p>This statement contrasts with Biden's legal history; his father granted him a full and unconditional pardon in December 2024, which cleared federal convictions on gun and tax charges before sentencing.</p><p>Biden's comments also differ from his remarks in August during an appearance on HBO's "Real Time with Bill Maher," where he dismissed the idea of running and joked that anyone hearing he had announced a campaign should "check and see if I relapsed."</p><p>In the Catsimatidis interview, Biden refrained from declaring a campaign but praised the Democratic field, mentioning Governor Andy Beshear (D-KY) and Governor JB Pritzker (D-IL), and expressed personal admiration for Gavin Newsom. Newsom has indicated interest in running after the midterms and has polled ahead of Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio in hypothetical matchups, according to an August Emerson College/The Hill survey. Other Democrats mentioned as potential 2028 candidates include Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA), former Vice President Kamala Harris, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.</p><p>A potential Biden candidacy would likely attract scrutiny regarding his personal and legal history. He was convicted in 2024 on federal gun charges related to a 2018 firearm purchase, during which he falsely denied drug use, and pleaded guilty to federal tax charges. His father's pardon in 2024 covered any conduct dating back a decade.</p><p>Biden has openly discussed his struggles with addiction, including in his 2021 memoir, and mentioned in the interview that he recently celebrated seven and a half years of sobriety.</p>