- Biden denied interacting with Hunter's associates when asked about his dealings
- The president called the allegations a “bunch of lies,” despite evidence from the Republican party
- Republican investigation found 22 calls in which Biden was on the phone with his son's associates
President Joe Biden denied “interaction” with Hunter Biden's business associates and called the allegations a “bunch of lies” when asked about the Republican impeachment inquiry.
He insisted there was no communication with associates of the scandal-stricken son, despite the Republican Party sharing evidence of at least 22 phone calls in which the then-vice president participated, dinners with Hunter's associates in Washington, D.C., restaurants and participation in coffee meetings. .
Biden's denial came just days after congressional investigators revealed he received monthly payments of $1,380 from Hunter's company.
The president asked a question on the subject at the end of a brief statement in which he called on Republicans to provide billions in military and other aid to Ukraine while signaling a willingness to address border issues.
“I didn't do that — it's just a bunch of lies,” Biden said.
He was asked about him poll revealing that nearly 70 percent of Americans think he did something unethical or illegal with family business interests and why he had contact with “so many” of his son Hunter and brother James' associates.
“I'm not going to comment, I didn't,” Biden began, before repeatedly proclaiming “lies.”
“It's just a bunch of lies,” President Joe Biden said when asked why he was in contact with “so many” of Hunter Biden's business associates
Earlier this week, House Oversight Chairman Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.) released bank records that Republicans say show he at least three monthly payments from a business owned Hunter Biden that cost millions China.
The transfers come from 2018, after Biden left the vice presidency. The records, subpoenaed by the Republican party, show he received three payments of $1,380 each on September 17, October 15 and November 15.
The payments came from Hunter-owned Owasco PC.
A spokesperson for Comer called them “part of a pattern that showed Joe Biden knew about, participated in and benefited from his family's influence schemes.”
Hunter Biden is currently facing investigations into his taxes and finances and possible disclosure issues from foreign lobbies. He has been charged with weapons offenses related to a form he signed to purchase a firearm and has also pleaded not guilty to two tax offences.
The payments were for a 2018 Ford Raptor truck that Biden bought and that Hunter used for a while, according to the Washington Post, which reviewed an email about it.
“I didn't do that — it's just a bunch of lies,” Biden said at the end of his remarks Wednesday about his involvement in his son's interactions
Hunter Biden attorney Abbe Lowell told the newspaper, “The truth is, Hunter's father helped him when he was in financial trouble due to his addiction and couldn't get credit to finance a truck. When Hunter was able to do so, he paid his father back and took over the payments himself.”
The president has repeatedly denied doing business with his son, but former business associates of Hunter Biden have said he would occasionally drop by briefly on conference calls or drop in on meetings.
The House of Representatives is moving toward a possible vote on a formal impeachment inquiry. House Speaker Mike Johnson said the vote will take place next week.