Report: Legacy Media Can No Longer Ignore Hunter Biden Story

Hunter Biden, David Weiss (top right), Merrick Garland

President Biden’s response to the Hunter Biden probe could damage him "pretty seriously" ahead of the 2024 election, NBC’s "Meet the Press" host implied on Sunday.

Near the top of the hour, host Chuck Todd introduced the topic following Attorney General Merrick Garland appointing special counsel David Weiss to further investigate Hunter's activities. Todd contrasted the news with the multiple indictments against former President Donald Trump but acknowledged that the investigation into Hunter "has raised questions" for voters.

"President Biden’s handling of the case has raised questions at a time when voters already have doubts about his age and political standing. Biden brought his son to a state dinner just two days after the plea deal that has since collapsed was announced, and he has repeatedly defended him, denying wrongdoing altogether even though Hunter Biden himself has pled guilty," Todd said.

NBC political analyst Brendan Buck similarly suggested that the White House needs to take the scandal around the president’s son "more seriously" as the investigations become more public.

“The press will no longer be able to ignore this tawdry saga… for the first time, the Hunter scandal is getting too big for journalists to ignore.”

Fox News’ @HowardKurtz on mainstream media having to cover Hunter Biden scandal after Special Counsel is appointed. pic.twitter.com/NlTtYI9xwU

— TV News Now (@TVNewsNow) August 13, 2023

The special counsel appointment, which has garnered intense criticism from Republicans, was announced by Garland at a press conference in Washington, D.C. on Friday. The White House was not informed of Garland's decision before the news broke, according to a senior DOJ official.

Republicans have accused this appointment of attempting to stonewall congressional investigations into Hunter Biden following several testimonies against him and President Biden. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., called it a "dumb political decision" on Fox News "America Reports" later that Friday.