29 July 2023 , 15:24
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President Joe Biden publicly acknowledged his seventh grandchild on Friday, introducing the world to Navy, the four-year-old daughter of his son, Hunter Biden.
The president emphasized that this is a family matter and not a political issue, expressing his and First Lady Jill Biden's commitment to the well-being of all their grandchildren, including Navy.
"Our son Hunter and Navy's mother, Lunden, are working together to foster a relationship that is in the best interests of their daughter, preserving her privacy as much as possible going forward," President Biden stated.
The circumstances surrounding Navy's parentage had been a matter of public scrutiny for some time.
'Jill and I only want what is best for all of our grandchildren, including Navy,' Joe and Jill Biden said in a statement (Getty Images North America)Last month, Hunter Biden settled a child support case with Lunden Roberts, the mother of his four-year-old daughter. The issue of paternity was resolved through DNA testing after Lunden filed for child support.
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The president's son wrote about his encounter with Lunden Roberts in his 2021 memoir, saying it came while he was deep in addiction to alcohol and drugs, including crack cocaine. His battles with addiction have been well-documented, leading to his discharge from the Naval Reserves in 2014 due to a positive cocaine test.
“I had no recollection of our encounter,” he wrote. “That’s how little connection I had with anyone. I was a mess, but a mess I’ve taken responsibility for.”
The president, who has made a commitment to family central to his public persona, has faced increasing criticism from political rivals and pundits for failing to acknowledge the granddaughter.
Biden himself drew attention to the issue with some of his statements, including when he referenced his 'six grandchildren' even while struggling to mention all of their names at a White House event.
Hunter Biden's family expanded when he married Melissa Cohen in May 2019 in Los Angeles, just six days after meeting her. The couple's love story was described as whirlwind. Hunter had previously been married to Kathleen Buhle, with whom he has three adult children. Additionally, he shares a son, Beau Biden Jr., with his current wife, Melissa.
Biden's grandchildren have played a distinctive role in his presidency, often accompanying the president or first lady on trips and making regular visits to the White House. The president has also credited his grandchildren with persuading him to challenge then-President Donald Trump for the White House in 2020.