In an exclusive interview with CBS News, President Joe Biden said he felt “my boyfriend’s back” when he began reading his son Hunter’s next book. “The honesty with which he went ahead and talked about the problem. And the hope that this would give me hope to read it,” Biden said.
Norah O’Donnell, presenter and director of “CBS Evening News,” spoke with Mr. Biden in the network’s first news interview he has offered since taking office. It will air at 4pm before the Super Bowl on Sunday.
Hunter Biden, Mr. Biden’s youngest son, has struggled with drug addiction throughout his life. He was discharged from the Navy Reserve in 2014 after suspending drug testing and has sought treatment at rehabilitation facilities.
Biden told O’Donnell that he felt his family’s struggles were related to many Americans.
“You know, I’ll bet there’s no family you know that doesn’t have someone in the family who has drug or alcohol problems,” Biden said.
Hunter Biden was a frequent target of former President Trump on the campaign trail. In the first presidential debate, Trump falsely told Hunter Biden he was dishonorably dismissed from the military. Hunter Biden received an administrative discharge after testing positive for cocaine.
In that same debate, Biden acknowledged that his son has had problems with drugs.
“He’s fixed it, he’s worked on it,” the former vice president said. “I’m proud of him. I’m proud of my son.”
Hunter Biden will release in April a memoir called “Beautiful Things” from Gallery Books, imprinted by Simon & Schuster. Simon & Schuster is a division of ViacomCBS. The book will talk about his struggles with substance abuse, as well as his relationship with his family, including his father and late brother, Beau Biden.
The full interview will air Sunday at 4pm ET before the Super Bowl, on CBS only.
Watch the first part of Norah O’Donnell’s interview with President Biden: Biden says Trump “doesn’t need” that Trump still receive informational information