A senior advisor to former President Joe Biden reportedly objected to Hunter Biden’s surprise participation in a high-level strategy call following the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling granting former presidents broad immunity from prosecution.
According to the newly released book 2024: How Trump Retook the White House and the Democrats Lost America, the incident occurred during a video call organized by then-White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients. The purpose was to discuss whether Biden should publicly respond to the July 2024 Supreme Court ruling in Trump v. United States, which delivered a 6–3 decision affirming presidential immunity for official acts.
Attendees on the call included top aides such as White House Counsel Ed Siskel, communications director Ben LaBolt, and senior advisor Mike Donilon. The book alleges that the staff was caught off guard when an unfamiliar voice suddenly interrupted the meeting with a bold suggestion.
“Suddenly an unidentified voice piped up from Biden’s screen and recommended an Oval Office address,” the book recounts. “Some aides didn’t recognize the speaker at first. It was Hunter Biden.”
Hunter’s unexpected participation raised eyebrows, particularly as the group had been debating the optics of using the Oval Office for such a politically charged response. White House Counsel Ed Siskel reportedly flagged the concern, only to be rebuffed by Hunter.
“This is one of the most consequential decisions the Supreme Court has ever made,” Hunter reportedly argued. “My father has every right to use the Oval Office to respond.”
The group ultimately compromised, selecting the Cross Hall for Biden’s remarks. After the meeting ended, Siskel reportedly told colleagues that Hunter’s involvement in the discussion was “inappropriate.”
According to the book, Biden followed his son’s advice to deliver a brief speech in response to the ruling—and notably took no questions from the press.
The revelations are detailed in 2024, a joint effort by journalists Josh Dawsey (Wall Street Journal), Tyler Pager (New York Times), and Isaac Arnsdorf (Washington Post). The book explores Biden’s final year in office, the campaign’s internal struggles, and Trump’s path to reclaiming the White House.
The authors allege Hunter played an outsized role in his father’s presidency, often participating in internal calls and weighing in on political strategy.
“Hunter Biden was a major figure in the president’s orbit,” Dawsey told ABC’s This Week. “He was often on these calls… helping him make campaign decisions.”
The Supreme Court’s decision was seen as a major victory for Trump, effectively shielding him from prosecution for actions taken while in office, including those tied to the January 6 Capitol riot. Trump had pleaded not guilty to all charges and maintained that former presidents could not be prosecuted unless first impeached and convicted by Congress.
Fox News has previously reported on Biden aides’ efforts to manage the president’s public image, particularly amid growing concerns about his age and mental acuity. This latest account adds to the scrutiny of Biden’s inner circle and Hunter’s controversial proximity to presidential decision-making.
Siskel and Biden’s office did not respond to requests for comment.
