It’s a tale as old as time. Politicians with nepotism on their side, using their family’s influence and name recognition to reap rewards and benefits beyond their own merit. The latest example of this is Hunter Biden, the son of United States President Joe Biden.
Despite no political experience or relevant professional background, Hunter Biden has managed to make a career out of benefiting from his father’s name. His résumé consists of positions which he was likely granted solely on the basis of his name, and the reputation and influence that comes with it.
During his father’s time as Vice President, Hunter Biden made a series of strange and favored career moves. He was given a cushy job with a lobbying firm, despite having no prior experience. When his father took office as President, Hunter Biden served for two months as a full-time consultant to the Ukrainian oil and gas company, Burisma. To make matters worse, he was never investigated for any possible improper conduct, though there were several allegations made against the company.
Other shady dealings over the years include a large amount of questionable financial transactions, multiple foreign business partnerships, and a generous salary as part of a controversial start-up firm he was affiliated with.
To add to the controversy, Hunter Biden was recently accused of leveraging his family’s political influence in various ways. This includes leveraging his father’s influence to gain entry into different businesses and organizations, as well as his influential name getting him out of serious personal trouble with the law.
Despite the obvious nepotism, Hunter Biden has made a large financial gain for himself through use of his father’s name. And while some may be willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, many believe that he must be held accountable to the same ethical standards as everybody else who holds a public office. No amount of family influence should exempt him from facing any consequences for illicit or unbecoming behavior.
The story of Hunter Biden’s career of benefiting from his father’s name is a stark reminder of the power of nepotism and influence in politics. We must never forget that even those of privileged backgrounds must still abide by the same standards as everyone else, regardless of their name.