A recent New York Times opinion piece by Maureen Dowd criticizes President Joe Biden for not publicly acknowledging his seventh grandchild, Navy Joan Roberts, Hunter Biden's daughter with Lunden Roberts. Dowd's column, titled "It’s Seven Grandkids, Mr. President," highlights the contradiction between Biden's emphasis on family values and his apparent disregard for Navy Joan. The child was born in 2018 following Hunter Biden's relationship with Roberts, who formerly worked at a Washington, D.C. gentlemen's club.
The ongoing paternity and child support case in Arkansas involving Hunter Biden and Lunden Roberts has brought this issue to the forefront. Despite a 2020 paternity test confirming Hunter Biden's fatherhood, both President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden have not acknowledged Navy Joan as their granddaughter. The President recently stated he has six grandchildren, and White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre declined to comment on the situation when questioned by reporters.
Dowd shared an excerpt from a letter written by her sister, Peggy, a Republican who had previously admired Biden. The letter expressed dismay at the President's refusal to acknowledge Navy Joan and urged him to reconsider his stance. Peggy's letter referenced a legal agreement that may grant Navy Joan some of her father's artwork, a gesture she deemed insufficient considering the circumstances.
Dowd argued that Biden's actions contradict his long-standing emphasis on family and empathy. She questioned how the President could defend his son on other matters while simultaneously refusing to acknowledge his granddaughter. Dowd concluded her column by asserting that Biden's behavior is inconsistent with the image he projects and the values he claims to uphold. The White House has been contacted for comment on the New York Times piece.
This controversy surrounding President Biden's seventh grandchild raises questions about the intersection of personal life, political image, and family values in the public eye.
