A reporter asked aspiring House Speaker Kevin McCarthy how it feels to attend a state dinner with Hunter Biden as a guest with GOP lawmakers vowing to investigate the President’s son.
The inquiry took place as McCarthy was announced alongside his mother for a State Dinner Thursday in which President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte.
After discussing politics briefly, listing off several platforms championed by the Republican Party, the questions pivoted to a potential conflict.
“You’re going to be at a dinner with Hunter Biden today. How does that feel knowing that many people in your caucus want to investigate him?” the reporter asked.
I asked @GOPLeader, who is attending the state dinner at the White House, what it would be like to be dining at an event with Hunter Biden, given his caucus’s desire to investigate @POTUS’s son. McCarthy replied: I’m here with my mother. pic.twitter.com/K2y0rFu6PW
— Jeff Mason (@jeffmason1) December 1, 2022
At that point, McCarthy appeared to have had enough of talking politics.
“Well, I’m at dinner with my mom. So I’m going to have a great time,” he said, escorting his mother away.
.@jeffmason1 – “You’re going to be at a dinner with Hunter Biden tonight. How does that feel knowing that many people in your caucus want to investigate him?”@GOPLeader Kevin McCarthy – “Well, I’m at dinner with my mom. We’ll have a great time.” pic.twitter.com/Su3cb6gZIw
— Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) December 2, 2022
McCarthy, Republicans Attend State Dinner With Hunter Biden in Attendance
In attendance at the same state dinner as McCarthy were several Biden family members, including the president’s sister Valerie Biden Owens and his daughter Ashley Biden, as well as Hunter and his wife Melissa Cohen Biden.
While Valeria and Ashley and their guests were showered with attention at the main entrance, Hunter and his wife entered through a separate location.
Other Republican lawmakers were also in attendance, including Senators Susan Collins (ME) and James Risch (ID), along with Representatives Michael McCaul (TX) and Steve Scalise (R-LA).
House GOP Whip Steve Scalise (and retired Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer) arrive at the White House for tonight’s State Dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron. pic.twitter.com/coe9SAEvSo
— DJ Judd (@DJJudd) December 2, 2022
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Matt Gaetz Says McCarthy Should Not Be Speaker
Reports have surfaced since the midterm elections indicating McCarthy is facing some pushback in his bid to become the next Speaker of the House.
A dinner cavorting with the Biden family isn’t doing any favors for him from an optics standpoint.
Representative Matt Gaetz (R-FL) used McCarthy’s appearance at the dinner with Hunter to argue against his speakership.
“Tonight Kevin McCarthy had dinner with Hunter Biden at a state dinner with Macron to rally support for more US aid to Ukraine,” Gaetz tweeted. “He should not be Speaker.”
Tonight Kevin McCarthy had dinner with Hunter Biden at a state dinner with Macron to rally support for more US aid to Ukraine.
He should not be Speaker.
— Rep. Matt Gaetz (@RepMattGaetz) December 2, 2022
Federal agents have reportedly expressed a belief there is enough evidence to charge Hunter Biden with multiple crimes.
He is the subject of an ongoing investigation regarding crimes related to his tax affairs, as well as a false statement related to a gun purchase.
A report surfaced in October that Hunter received over $100 million in investment backing from Elena Baturina, a billionaire Russian oligarch and wife of the former mayor of Moscow.
President Biden has long insisted he has no knowledge of his son’s business dealings. Representative James Comer of Kentucky, the top Republican on the House Oversight Committee, would like to look into that claim a little further.
“In the 118th Congress, this committee will evaluate the status of Joe Biden’s relationship with his family’s foreign partners and whether he is a President who is compromised or swayed by foreign dollars and influence,” Comer said.
“I want to be clear: This is an investigation of Joe Biden, and that’s where the committee will focus in this next Congress.”
We’ll take an investigation over rubbing shoulders at a ritzy state dinner any day.
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