Jill Biden talked about how proud she was of Hunter turning his life around, becoming an artist and helping other recovering addicts.
New York– Jill Biden Said she was sorry for not talking more about her son Hunter’s drug addiction During her time in the White House, she explained that she now realizes that being open about his substance abuse and recovery could give hope to others in the same situation.
Promoted in wide-ranging interview with “The View” co-host Whoopi Goldberg her white house memoirsThe former first lady said Tuesday she has put life into perspective after the death of her husband, former President Joe Biden. diagnosed with prostate cancer.
She says she’s no longer angry about the way Democrats pressured her husband end his re-election campaign After a dismal performance in the 2024 debate with Republican Donald Trump.
“No, I’m not angry. I mean, what’s the use of being angry now?” Jill Biden said at the first event for her new book, which was released on Tuesday and was held at the 92nd Street Y in New York.
‘I think we’re in partial denial’
Jill Biden wrote in her memoir “Viewed from the East Wing” that she and her husband did not talk about drug addiction. “I think we’re in partial denial,” she admits, adding that she wonders why someone with a loving family, a good education and a lucrative career would turn to drugs.
“It’s hard for me to say this, but Hunter was a drug addict,” she said Tuesday.
She said Hunter’s addiction was “a very difficult time for our family.” After Hunter Biden’s older brother, Beau Biden, died of aggressive brain cancer in 2015, he began using alcohol and drugs. Hunter has been sober for several years now, she said.
“I’m sorry I didn’t talk more about it,” she said on stage.
Jill Biden talked about how proud she was of Hunter turning his life around, becoming an artist and helping other recovering addicts.
“I hope by talking about it more, I hope it gives hope to other people,” she said. “It’s a difficult thing to deal with.”
Hunter Biden wrote about his addiction to drugs and alcohol in an essay. his own memoirspublished in 2021.
His drug addiction led to federal charges that he lied about his drug use on gun purchase forms. He was convicted after a trial and faced prison time, but was ultimately pardoned by his father, who repeatedly insisted he would not use the power of the presidency to spare his son — until he changed his mind before handing the presidency to Trump.
Fighting cancer is also difficult
Jill Biden has said she was angry about the way Democrats treated her husband after the debate, but put the matter aside after Joe Biden was diagnosed a year ago with aggressive prostate cancer that has spread to his bones.
“I think Joe’s cancer diagnosis, it really puts life into perspective and you’re really grateful for every day, and you have a lot of anger and you’re like, ‘What’s the point?’ You know, ‘What’s the point?’ “I think that’s why Joe and I try to, you know, try to find joy in every day that comes,” she said. “
The 83-year-old former president attended the event, along with many other members of the Biden family, to a sold-out standing ovation.
She said when doctors told them her husband of nearly 50 years had the disease, “I never thought it would be prostate cancer.” She did not reveal details but said the former president’s treatment and the drugs he took were taking a toll on him.
Jill Biden said the drugs and treatments have “consequences,” and “I think those consequences are very serious.”
Living in a “fishbowl”
Biden described some of her favorite memories of life in the White House, including spending weekends at Camp David and working with military families.
She said that in her opinion, the most difficult part of the role of first lady is the loss of privacy.
“You literally live in a fishbowl,” she said. “Everyone knows it no matter where you are. It’s true. I can’t even go downstairs to my office.”
As she walked through the White House, she imitated how U.S. Secret Service officers spoke into their devices and used their code names.
“‘Capri is in the elevator. Capri is walking down the hallway. Capri is walking up the steps. Capri is walking outside,'” Jill Biden said as the audience laughed. She also noted scrutiny of her outfits, including the time she was photographed in Washington with her hair tied into a ponytail.
“I wore a scrunchie and they wrote about it,” she said. “Who cares?”
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