Hunter Biden’s eldest daughter, Naomi, took the stand during his federal gun trial on Friday, marking a poignant moment as she testified in his defence.
Naomi, one of Hunter’s daughters with ex-wife Kathleen Buhle, recounted her visit to him in rehab in August 2018. She expressed pride in his progress and introduced him to her then-boyfriend, Peter Neal.
Her testimony revealed Hunter’s first significant display of emotion during the trial, as he wiped away tears while listening to her account. Naomi described her father’s clarity during their meeting and the emotional impact of her uncle Beau Biden’s death in 2015.
As Naomi recounted her communication with Hunter in October 2018, days after he purchased the .38-caliber revolver central to the case against him, the courtroom attention intensified. Despite the positive interactions, text messages between Naomi and Hunter revealed erratic behaviour on his part, raising questions during cross-examination.
Prosecutor Leo Wise highlighted messages indicating Hunter’s late-night requests and failure to follow through on plans to meet Naomi, who was in law school then. Despite expressing disappointment in her father’s unreliability, Naomi’s testimony conveyed her enduring affection for him, even amid challenging circumstances.
The trial further delved into Hunter’s struggles with addiction, with Naomi acknowledging her awareness of his dependency issues, particularly following Beau’s death. While Naomi testified that she had never witnessed her father using drugs, questions arose regarding his behaviour and associations during that period.
Throughout Naomi’s testimony, Hunter appeared visibly affected, suggesting the emotional weight of the trial and its implications on his family. After her testimony concluded, Naomi shared a heartfelt moment with her father, offering comfort and support as proceedings adjourned for lunch.
Hunter’s stepmother, First Lady Jill Biden, added a familial touch to the courtroom scene, underscoring the personal stakes involved in the trial.
