Vice President Joe Biden is a proud father to two children from his first marriage. His youngest son, Hunter Biden, has lead a life of legal yet controversial success by utilizing the influence of his father’s powerful political career. Hunter Biden’s business exploits have drawn criticism due to the many ways in which the Biden name has been used to gain access to lucrative opportunities, connections and funds.
Hunter Biden’s career began shortly after his father first emerged onto the political scene in the late 1980s. In 1993, Biden was chosen by his father to be the chair of the Credit Union National Association (CUNA). This was an influential non-profit organization connected to the banking industry. As the chair, Biden was eligible for an annual salary of $120,000. This was an amount far beyond what most people in his position would earn.
In 2005, Biden established a consulting firm with former Delaware senator and lobbyist, Tom Wilmer. This business specialized in securing overseas contracts and investment agreements by providing valuable connections to governments and businesses in return for a fee. One of their clients included a Georgian oligarch.
From 2009 to 2019, Hunter Biden served on the board of Burisma Holdings, a Ukrainian energy company known for corruption. During his tenure, Biden was well compensated with a salary of $50,000- $75,000 per month. While this lucrative position was heavily criticized by the public and in the media, Biden maintained he did nothing wrong and the business he provided was beneficial.
Despite these controversies, Biden’s career still blossoms today. He is a founding partner at Rosemont Seneca Partners LLC, a private investment firm which manages millions of dollars in investments. The firm has done business with firms in China and the Middle East, raising further questions as to whether he is using his father’s influence inappropriately.
Hunter Biden’s career is an example of the power of nepotism. Through his father’s connections, Hunter has been able to acquire unearned opportunities. Whether it be from his connections or his own talents, Hunter has made himself a powerful leader in the business world. Despite facing criticism and controversy, it is certain that Biden has had an undeniably rewarding career of benefiting from his father’s name.