Hunter Biden has graced the BBC with his presence to inform us all that receiving a presidential pardon from his father, former US President Joe Biden, makes him 'the most privileged person there is.' He also conceded that the whole affair wasn't exactly a win for America, the Constitution, or dear old dad's legacy. But, you know, gratitude.

In a wide-ranging chat with Newsnight, Hunter defended the controversial pardon, dropped the news that his father's cancer has spread to his bones, ruled out a political career, and shared his plans to help others kick addiction. Because nothing says 'I've learned my lesson' like a pardon from the most powerful person on the planet.

When asked about the December 2024 pardon, Hunter acknowledged the criticism with a shrug: 'What would you have thought of my dad if he did not do that for me?' He admitted it's 'easily criticised and for good reason,' but he's grateful. He also argued that dad acted out of fear that Hunter would become a target under Donald Trump's incoming administration. 'I was the only one in the world that could have gotten what I got from the only person in the world who could give it, my father.'

Hunter insists he and his father never discussed the pardon beforehand, because 'there is no way that you can have those kinds of discussions that would not become public.' Right, because the White House is famously leak-proof.

President Biden granted the full and unconditional pardon in December 2024, despite having repeatedly said he wouldn't use presidential powers to intervene in his son's legal cases. The pardon covered Hunter's federal gun conviction, a tax case he'd pled guilty to, and any federal offences committed between 2014 and 2024. The former president cited 'selective and unfair prosecution.'

Hunter also painted a vivid picture of his addiction at its worst: nearly a gallon of vodka a day and crack cocaine every 15 minutes. 'It was hell on earth,' he said, adding that he wasn't reaching for anything 'except oblivion.' The drugs and alcohol initially felt like a solution, then became 'the thing that almost killed me.' He got emotional discussing his father's health, revealing the cancer has 'spread, metastasised into his bones and further. It's very painful' and 'very debilitating.' He called his dad 'the centre of our family' and wished he'd complain more.

He also reflected on the June 2024 debate that ended his father's re-election campaign, saying he was 'shocked' and knew 'something was wrong.'

On politics, Hunter said he has 'no interest in elected politics' and dismissed any presidential run. Instead, he'll focus on addiction and recovery, which he believes can bridge America's political divides. 'I believe that addiction and the hope of recovery are something that connect us all,' he said. And what makes him proudest of his father? Not the decades of public service, but his 'resilience' - 'He's proven time and time again that when you get knocked down, you can get up.'