In what can only be described as a political hall of mirrors, Hunter Biden sat down with right-wing provocateur Candace Owens in her book-filled room decorated with a crucifix and orchids in the shape of a heart, holding a coffee mug labeled "Conspiracy Theorist." The first question Owens asked: "The cocaine that was found at the White House, was it yours?"
To call this an unusual pairing is an understatement; to call it Frost/Nixon is an overstatement. But for nearly two hours, the son of a former Democratic president and a podcaster who once called him "an alleged sex predator" and "a degenerate that should be in prison" from a "scum family" found common ground on being misunderstood, being targeted by a powerful president, and questioning whether the assassination attempts against Donald Trump were staged.
Owens apologized for treating Biden like "a caricature," saying, "I’m really sorry that I contributed to that. Like, I just feel really shitty." Biden, in turn, called her "probably the most effective communicator I’ve ever heard behind the microphone." They discussed his recovery story - Owens admitted, "I just didn’t even consider: He’s a crackhead. That’s actually a very relatable thing" - and Biden proposed they go see Pope Leo XIV together: "For real, let’s go to the Vatican."
Much of the conversation focused on Biden’s long struggle with addiction, his brother’s death, and the public exposure of compromising photos, private texts, and emails. "It forced me into a choice," he said. "Do I get out of bed and live, or do I die?"
Biden has spent years under Republican attacks, including former Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene holding up graphic images of him during a congressional hearing. Yet Greene called the interview "what real journalism looks like." The most revealing moment came when Owens apologized for joining in the attacks: "I did partake in just the inhumanity of just Look at this guy at the worst moment of his life, with prostitutes. He’s on crack, he’s on drugs, and we should make fun of him." Biden teared up, saying, "For you to say that to me … means the world."
Biden also expressed anger about the Trump family’s business pursuits receiving less scrutiny than his own. "I had two shows and probably sold a total of 20 paintings," he said. "And you had a problem with me being this emblem of corruption?" Owens agreed, saying she wishes she could go back to the days when Hunter Biden’s art was the most corrupt deal in politics.
On the topic of his father, Owens steered clear, calling it "completely demonic" to ask Hunter to say anything bad. Biden demurred when asked about Kamala Harris, saying he didn’t know her well and didn’t want to "shit on the vice president."
The interview also revealed Biden’s deep skepticism of the federal government and fear of being framed by the Trump administration. He said he has a witness watch him pack his bags before flights, afraid someone might plant drugs. Both he and Owens suggested the assassination attempts against Trump and the murder of Charlie Kirk could have been staged. "It’s so disrespectful that we’re not even getting good psyops anymore," Owens said.
As to the White House cocaine, Biden confirmed it wasn’t his: he’s been sober since June 1, 2019. "I’ve been, I think, probably the most famous addict - and famous person, because of the grace of God, in recovery."
So why was he there? Why did he reactivate his X account? And what’s next for a man many Republicans love to hate and many Democrats wish would disappear? The interview offered no clear answers, but plenty of awkward bonding.