Below is my column on Fox.com on the most recent WhatsApp message from Hunter Biden to foreign contacts. It is an insight into the shady world of influence peddling and the Biden family.
Here is the column:
“The Bidens are the best at doing exactly what Chairman wants.” The latest WhatsApp message from Hunter Biden to a Chinese businessman may be the perfect epitaph for the entire Biden corruption scandal. Indeed, it may be the most accurate statement ever made by Hunter Biden. This is precisely what the Bidens are the best at: selling access and influence.
Years ago, I wrote how the Biden family has long distinguished itself in all things corrupt from nepotism to sweetheart deals to influence peddling. Bidens like Hunter’s uncle James have been repeatedly criticized for cashing in on claims of access to his brother.
In one column, I noted that “The Biden family has long been associated with influence peddling to the degree that they could add an access key to their family crest.” While this has long been the favorite form of corruption in Washington, the Bidens are in a class of their own.
The last week has shown just how good the Bidens are at this. I previously wrote that there appeared to be an effort in the works to implode the scandal. Not only was the Justice Department allowing the statute of limitations to run on some offenses, but they would likely cut a plea deal for a couple of misdemeanors without any jail time. That is precisely what they did with the help of an enabling media that has largely blacked out the corruption scandal.
Recently, political and media pundits have tried to excuse the raw influence peddling by dismissing messages as the ravings of a drug addict. However, the message to Gongwen (“Kevin”) Dong, a CEFC China Energy executive, is neither muddled nor manic. Indeed, it has all of the directness and clarity that the Bidens have denied to the American people:
“I’m tired of this Kevin,” Hunter said. “I can make $5 million in salary from any law firm in America. If you think it’s about money, it’s not. The Biden’s [sic] are the best at doing exactly what Chairman wants from this partnership. Please let’s not quibble over peanuts.”
The “peanuts” are an apt reference. The Bidens were promising a windfall for the Chinese in purchasing access. A few millions truly is a quibble in the great scheme of things.
Hunter was equally clear in these messages about what he was selling. In another WhatsApp message, he reportedly stated:
“I am sitting here with my father and we would like to understand why the commitment made has not been fulfilled. Tell the director that I would like to resolve this now before it gets out of hand, and now means tonight. And, Z, if I get a call or text from anyone involved in this other than you, Zhang, or the chairman, I will make certain that between the man sitting next to me and every person he knows and my ability to forever hold a grudge that you will regret not following my direction. I am sitting here waiting for the call with my father.”
If any further proof is needed of how good the Bidens really are at this, the Chinese reportedly sent the money after receiving that threat.
When President Biden was asked about whether he was involved in the message, he angrily yelled “No!” but offered nothing else. The Bidens are far more forthcoming with customers than they are voters. In this form of corruption, elections are a means for acquiring power, but the ends are sales of that influence. That is where real money is to be made.
The other measure of how good the Bidens are at this is found in the dozens of LLC corporations and bank accounts used to funnel money to Hunter and his associates. The labyrinth of transfers seem designed to evade detection and investigation. The recent allegations of bribery from a Ukrainian figure included reported references to how the Bidens created this complex system to shield payments — no payments were to go directly to Joe Biden.
Then there is the experience shown in the use of code names for Joe Biden. These emails include references to Joe Biden getting a 10 percent cut of one Chinese deal. It also shows Biden associates warning not to use Joe Biden’s name but to employ code names like “the Big Guy.”
This is why many people missed the point of Hunter Biden showing up after his criminal plea at a state dinner. It was shocking for many to see Hunter wining and dining with the Washington elite. However, that is precisely the point. It was a collective celebration for a city where influence peddling is a cottage industry. Despite overwhelming evidence of corruption, Hunter was back in circulation.
That is no minor league stuff. When it comes to corruption the Biden family is the 1961 Yankees and 1975 Reds combined. They are the GOATs of influence peddling and the rest is, well, peanuts.
The bribery is still going on, remember the “art” sales.
The problem in all of what’s been revealed since an outsider was elected are the American People. If we had term limits in place long ago, Joe might still be riding that train he talks about but as a conductor. If government workers were held account for work performance, like the average American, DC would be a model for integrity. Now it’s in your face, don’t question elections, everyone lies and denies. You can’t tell the players even with a score card. Who can you trust? Sad, very sad.
I need some help from our s@@tlib friends on this one, but I am wondering how plain, old fashioned corruption as done by the Bidens is helping bring about a future leftist utopia. I’ve thought long and hard but as a deplorable my abilities are limited.
Any thoughts s@@tlibs?
antonio
I’m not a s@@tlib Antonio, but let me offer this to your conundrum: It doesn’t. The old fashioned corruption practiced by the Bidens is simply what they do and who they are and is not related to the ends that they–and the Left– seek. As long as “progress” is being made toward the Leftist Utopia, what happens along the way is irrelevant.
Corruption makes it all work; it’s the Invisble Hand of DemocRat economics and politics. Corruption is not an unintended consequence but a purpose and an essential component of “the future leftist utopia.”
As de Sade asked, “What’s the use of a revolution if you can’t have copulation?”
@wiseoldlawyer
“As long as “progress” is being made toward the Leftist Utopia, what happens along the way is irrelevant.”
Didn’t Comrade Lenin say you have to break a few eggs to make an omelet? So yes, the ends justify the means to leftists. After all they are fighting for the progress of all humankind, right? And if it wasn’t for the ‘wreckers and saboteurs’, we would already have arrived. That was a common saying in the Stalin era. Remember leftists NEVER punch left no matter how egregious the behavior of other leftists.
And anyone to the right of Mitt Romney is expected to denounce, grovel and apologize for the expression of any non-woke view. Not that it does them any good…
antonio
Biden is Agnew and Harding rolled into one. A corrupt VP and a corrupt president.
“influence peddling”
Please call it what it is: An international bribery and blackmail scheme by Joe Biden. (The pathetic HB is merely a bagman.) Joe Biden sold out America to a degree that makes Benedict Arnold look like a piker.
Joe Biden has been dishonest and corrupt since at least law school, where he was busted, but not properly punished, for plagiarism. Then as a politician, again busted (but not properly punished) for plagiarism numerous times.
There’s a good reason why as a senator, Biden was known as the MBNA (bank) politician. That’s the same bank that paid HB as a “consultant.” Having honed their bribery and corruption skills domestically, Biden and his son plied employed them internationally — while JB was VP.
There’s a good reason why Joe Biden smirks at and mocks those exposing him. He has the psychopath’s psychology: I’ve gotten away with it for decades. And will do so, again.
The Left wishes for us to ignore Joe Biden’s entire history of corruption and dishonesty. They’re treating you like a toddler: See each experience as unique and different.
Don’t fall for it.
The Biden Administration can boast of being the worst domestic and foreign policy presidency in the last 50 years and likely the most corrupt administration in more than a century. It is also an administration led by the most cognitively diminished President since Woodrow Wilson suffered a stroke in the last years of his administration, also more than 100 years ago. So one could argue that Biden has performed a “hat trick” not achieved by any other American leader in its history.
As ace points out, that WhatsApp message is dated August of 2017 — after Joe was no longer in office and could no longer deliver the goods. At that point Hunter was no longer peddling influence, as there was no influence to peddle. Hunter was collecting on a debt, a debt for goods already delivered.
Tommy, you are drawing conclusions lacking evidence. Actually if conflict with long held practice and experience.
Today its called networking, better remembered by “its not what you know, but who you know.
Today’s example is Obamba. Exactly what does he do to earn the mega bucks today? He holds no office, yet still wields power.
Dear Prof Turley,
$5 million is nothing to sneeze @! At any law firm in the country? If all that is true, it appears Burisma got a hell of a deal.
To make matters worse, much worse, Putin wasn’t even offered a reach-around. In Ukraine it is the Biden’s way or the highway.
*Biden could end this war in 6 hours.
I wonder how much of this Biden Cottage industry was known by President Obama. With all they knew and/or manufactured about Trump, I have to think that Obama was aware of all this. I was never a fan or follower of Obama but I do know that he is not stupid. Silence implies consent. It seems the next big step is tying Obama to the knowledge of and/or participation in this influence peddling. He sure sprouted money like crazy after his retirement from the Presidency. I hear that book deals make as much or more than paintings these days. I’m sure that there are garages just stuffed with thousands upon thousands of purchased but uncirculated books. Probably still in unopened boxes as fresh as the day they were printed.
I wonder how much of this Biden Cottage industry was known by President Obama.
That you wonder is concerning
Barack was an adjunct instructor at a law school, no academic nor legal accomplishments to his CV, a community organizer and then a junior US Senator before becoming US President. Today he and his talentless, demagoguery prone wife, have multimillion dollar mansions in wealthy areas of the country, have money thrown at them just for making an appearance, yet Barack has as his accomplishments: Obamacare, a politicized DOJ and losing the US House, US Senate and White House to Republicans. None of will us ever be as wealthy as the grifter that Barack and Michelle are, so clearly we are doing it all wrong
Geraldine Ferraro on Presidential candidate Barack Obama:
if Obama was a white man, he would not be in this position….And if he was a woman he would not be in this position. He happens to be very lucky to be who he is. And the country is caught up in the concept
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-politics-ferraro-idUSN1216129120080312
Estovir, outstanding post, as usual.
I keep waiting for the FBI to raid our home before sunrise, but alas Im at the gym at 4 am daily so the joke will be on them!!!
Note to FBI: bring your own gym towel when you train with me, and we do abs between sets!
😉
I am drawn the historical significance of myriad political quotations, which when first spoken or written seemed unimportant or trivial but later were seen as deeply ironic. History is replete with them. But none that I have seen strikes me as so contemporaneously ironic as those made by Joe Biden and his bag man, Hunter. Bag man’s “The Bidens are the best” would surely rank among the most self-evidently ironic statements of world history, as do my favorites, Brain Dead Joe’s promise, “I give you my word as a Biden.” and his oft-repeated, “No joke; I’m serious.”
Is it inadvertent satire or sarcasm with no self awareness when a speaker makes fun of himself and his family but doesn’t even know it?
Is this evidence to the demoncrats ?
“However, the message to Gongwen (“Kevin”) Dong, a CEFC China Energy executive, is neither muddled nor manic. Indeed, it has all of the directness and clarity that the Bidens have denied to the American people:
“I’m tired of this Kevin,” Hunter said. “I can make $5 million in salary from any law firm in America. If you think it’s about money, it’s not. The Biden’s [sic] are the best at doing exactly what Chairman wants from this partnership. Please let’s not quibble over peanuts.”
I don’t know where that quote came from, as the DC elite hides everything, even blatant illegal quid pro quo for payment.
Will Dennis or Gigi explain this to me ?
Hunter’s long WhatsApp message sure doesn’t sound like the incoherent ramblings of a drunk or a Mether does it ? They knew EXACTLY what they were doing. Thank you, Jonathan, for an excellent article.
Nepotism? Trump had that in spades. Turley was silent on that glaring issue.
Influence peddling is legal. Turley knows it. If he’s so concerned about it why was he not criticizing it when Trump’s own family was fully engaged in it? Double standard?
Anonymous, if you had an ounce of moral fiber you would say that influence peddling by Trump or Biden was wrong. Instead you excuse Bidens’ selling out to the Chinese with Trump did it too. If you had any credibility you would condemn the actions of both men but you don’t. You just try so hard to be on the side that’s winning that you don’t even realize that you have lost your soul in the process.
It’s certainly wrong. But still legal. But singling out the Biden’s and ignoring Trump’s own influence peddling schemes lends little credibility to Turley’s criticism.
There’s zero evidence Biden sold anything to the Chinese.
Are you condemning Trump’s actions too? I don’t see you doing so. What actions on influence peddling from trump have you condemned?
I’m only pointing out Turley’s double standard when he criticizes Biden of influence peddling and corruption. Two things Trump also did with wild abandon. You seem to agree, but are strangely silent on it.
“There’s zero evidence Biden sold anything to the Chinese.”
You’re lying, again.
What Joe Biden sold is government policy that benefitted the communist Chinese — as has been documented here and elsewhere numerous times.
What policy was that? Specifically?
“What policy was that?”
What part of “as has been documented here and elsewhere numerous times” don’t you understand?
Not interested in your rabbit hole of time wasting.
As I suspected, you have no evidence of what policy he supposedly “sold” to the Chinese.
“As I suspected . . .”
Pearls meet swine.
Again saying it has been presented is not evidence. What specific policy? You should be able to point it out. It shouldn’t be hard. One would suffice.
Anon US Constitution Article I Sec10 No Person holding office shall accept Emoluments) From any King, Prince, or foreign state. . Biden has never been a Businessman other than monkey business. DT was a world wide business person, legitimate businesses. Do you comprehend an emolument?
For Federal (IRS Code) and most States, for tax purposes, The Statute of Limitations does not run (terminate) on returns if Fraud is determined. IRS and a State can will/can retain open and assess taxes on any established Fraud Year. If Joe and Hunter committed Fraud for 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and any other years, those years are still OPEN for Audit and assessments.
Double standard?? Two IRS whistleblowers told The Republican-controlled House Ways and Means Committee that the Department of Justice “intervened” and “overstepped” to delay their work on the Hunter Biden tax probe going back to 2018. Election fraud has many elements.
Federal Gov’t has monitored all money transactions worldwide for money laundering. Gov’t knew every dollar transaction(s) moving from China and Ukraine, and where it originated and where it ended in final location and whose account(s) it was. The creation of many shell corporations and entities did not camouflage anything from the said purveyors from the very beginning.
Biden is not entitled to to receive personally any amounts from China, or Ukraine. Biden is corrupt beyond criminal. How in hades is he entitled to receive the Millions from any other country.
US is on brink of Un-Civil war II. DOJ< FBI< CIA, NI, NSA, et als, are corrupt and must be fully purged. .
Being a businessman is irrelevant. What policy did he “sell” to the Chinese?
Anonymous. You say: “There’s zero evidence Biden sold anything to the Chinese.” You might well be correct. That said, some of us would feel much better about the claim if we were convinced that someone, somewhere had tried to discover whether such evidence actually exists. It’s hard to “find evidence” if you don’t look for it.
It is not legal.
18 USC 1346
It is legal. McDonell v. United States.
𝙉𝙤𝙬 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙩𝙖𝙡𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙏𝙪𝙧𝙠𝙚𝙮 𝙎𝙤𝙣.
Kudos Jonathan !
Bidens gotta GO byebye
I’ve been fans of three G.O.A.T.S. in my life, Bobby Orr, the greatest hockey player ever as well as the man that most changed any sport (forgetting for a moment that my name is in honor of another hockey legend), the Beatles, nothing needed to add here and Tom Brady, the guy with double the rings of any other QB. Now we have the Bidens, the only losers that could turn a great compliment into a complete negative.
Joe Biden does everything wrong, except corruption.
There’s an investigation into the finances and countless shell corporations of the President’s son, and the potential involvement of the President. Yet the President’s AG does *not* appoint a special counsel.
Even Carter’s AG had more sense than that.
The Bidens may be the best but there several runners up.
Didn’t name them because CLINTON’s mega billion dollar “charity dufflebag” comes to mind first… ?
The Bidens aren’t the problem. The FACT that the DOJ, FBI, IRS, etc are 100% corrupt for Democrats. Heck the GOP leaders are Corrupt for the Democrats….THEY just gave Trillions to Democrats a couple weeks ago! It is going to worse…a LOT WORSE. Democrats now openly cheat on elections.
It doesn’t matter how you vote if only Democrats and Republicans can win.
*one will always have to choose between the lesser of two evils.
you live in a Fascist State! Until 50% of Federal Government is cut and 75% is moved out of DC
There is TOO MUCH power wielded by Machiavellians
We need to constantly beat the drum this monstrosity obese Federal government needs to be reduced in size and control. The Biden’s are just one of the corrupt players in DC.
As always, when it’s the demoncrats caught flat out in outrageous crimes against we the people, it’s “everyone does it” as an answer.
If it’s a republican “caught”, then never claim everyone does it, scream some vulgar names and rant and rave over the made up fudged accusation, demand we never let a republican destroy democracy.
IT IS AMAZING HOW MANY DEMONCRATS PULL THIS CRAP. Good thing you’re “____” so I can’t peg you for future reference.