Donald Trump labelled Hunter Biden's felony convictions as a mere "distraction from the real crimes of the Biden Crime Family" in a blistering statement sent out by his campaign just after the verdict was announced.
The message, obtained by CNN, stated: "This trial has been nothing more than a distraction from the real crimes of the Biden Crime Family, which has raked in tens of millions of dollars from China, Russia and Ukraine. Crooked Joe Biden's reign over the Biden Family Criminal Empire is all coming to an end on November 5th, and never again will a Biden sell government access for personal profit. As for Hunter, we wish him well in his recovery and legal affairs."
The statement was later updated to remove the well-wishes for Hunter and his family. Hunter, President Joe Biden's son, was declared guilty on three felony charges related to firearm possession on Tuesday - a surprising conclusion to a fast-paced trial that lasted several weeks in Wilmington, Delaware, also known as the base of Joe Biden's presidential reelection campaign.
READ MORE: Joe Biden says he is 'proud' of his son Hunter after he is convicted of three gun charges
A jury deliberated for two days before ruling that he was guilty of lying to a federally licensed firearm merchant, falsifying information about his history of drug misuse on the firearm application form and retaining the weapon for 11 days. The trial exposed the grim and painful chapters of Hunter's life, reopening old wounds as evidence and testimonies shed light on his tumultuous journey of drug addiction and turmoil following his brother Beau's death in 2015 - a struggle he openly discussed in his 2021 memoir, revealing the hardships he faced over the last decade.
Pub delivers five-word response to critics of its 'slow' carvery serviceAn FBI agent disclosed incriminating text exchanges between Hunter and Hallie Biden, Beau's widow, with whom he had a short-lived and troubled relationship after Beau's passing. The texts, which were sent just days after Hunter bought the Colt revolver in October 2018 that became a focal point of the trial, detailed his drug use and Hallie's worries about him.
In one message, Hallie questioned Hunter's whereabouts, mentioning she had called him "500 times" in the last 24 hours. He quickly replied, admitting he was "sleeping on a car smoking crack."
It was Hallie who eventually disposed of the gun by throwing it into a dumpster near a grocery store. Disturbing images were also presented during the trial, showing Hunter in a dire state: half-naked, smoking crack, and engulfed in bleak scenes of addiction.
Witnesses included his daughter Naomi, who portrayed her father positively, and two ex-partners - his former wife, Kathleen Buhle, and ex-girlfriend, Zoe Kestan. Buhle revealed that she discovered Hunter's drug use when she found a crack pipe on the side porch of their home near an ashtray.
She also mentioned finding drugs in his car, which she had to clean out every time her daughters used it. Kestan, who met Hunter at a Manhattan strip club where she worked, described how he smoked crack and drank simultaneously during a private dance session.
She was charmed by him as they chatted on the club's balcony. She later visited his hotel room, where she claimed he offered her crack and smoked it approximately every 20 minutes.
She stayed with him for a week, captivated by his personality. Hunter's family, including First Lady Dr Jill Biden, his aunt Valerie Owens Biden, his uncle James Biden, and his daughter Naomi, were present in the first few rows of the courtroom to support him throughout most of the trial.
However, the First Lady was absent when he was convicted on Tuesday. The impact of the conviction on Joe Biden's presidential campaign this year is yet to be determined.
Following his son's conviction, he released a statement, as reported by ABC News: "As I said last week, I am the President, but I am also a Dad. Jill and I love our son, and we are so proud of the man he is today. So many families who have had loved ones battle addiction understand the feeling of pride seeing someone you love come out the other side and be so strong and resilient in recovery."
The statement went on to say: "As I also said last week, I will accept the outcome of this case and will continue to respect the judicial process as Hunter considers an appeal. Jill and I will always be there for Hunter and the rest of our family with our love and support. Nothing will ever change that."
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