In a raw and revealing three-hour interview with Channel 5’s Andrew Callaghan, Hunter Biden pulled no punches—directly attacking actor George Clooney, denying links to the infamous White House cocaine incident, and offering a behind-the-scenes account of President Joe Biden’s 2024 debate failure that led to the collapse of his re-election campaign.
The Channel 5 interview, posted on YouTube, offers a rare, unfiltered glimpse into the Biden family’s inner turmoil and the political fallout from the most tumultuous election in modern U.S. history.
Hunter Biden vs. George Clooney: “F*** Him and Everybody Around Him”
Clooney’s Op-Ed Sparks Outrage
Hunter Biden opened the interview with a profanity-laced rant against George Clooney, who published a bombshell op-ed in The New York Times in July 2024 urging President Biden to withdraw from the re-election race.
“F*** him,” Hunter said. “F*** him and everybody around him. I don’t have to be f***ing nice.”
The actor—long known for his political activism and close ties to the Democratic Party—had suggested Joe Biden was no longer fit for office, citing the now-infamous debate performance against Donald Trump.
Hunter accused Clooney of betraying a man who dedicated his life to public service, and dismissed the actor’s influence, claiming, “What do you have to do with f***ing anything?”
Amal Clooney and the ICC Warrant
Hunter also alleged that Clooney’s motivations stemmed from personal frustration. According to him, the actor was upset that President Biden criticized the International Criminal Court (ICC) for issuing an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu—a move supported by Amal Clooney, George’s wife and a prominent human rights attorney.
“He was very, very angry that my dad did not pay homage to her or something,” Hunter said.
Behind the Debate Collapse: “Tired as S***” and Medicated
Why Joe Biden Dropped Out
Hunter gave an unvarnished account of his father’s 2024 debate with Donald Trump, calling it “absolutely horrible.” The performance, widely seen as a turning point in the election, led Joe Biden to drop out of the race just a year ago, endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as his successor.
Hunter said the President was exhausted, medicated, and not at all himself.
“They give him Ambien to be able to sleep. He gets up on the stage and looks like he’s a deer in the headlights.”
He acknowledged the perception of physical and cognitive decline was impossible to overcome after that moment, admitting fellow Democrats would have resisted him every step of the way had he stayed in the race.
Denies Cocaine Allegations: “Why Would I Bring It Into the White House?”
The 2023 Cocaine Scandal
Hunter also addressed the renewed investigation by the FBI into a 2023 cocaine incident at the White House. The substance was found in a West Wing locker—sparking intense speculation, especially given Hunter’s publicly known struggles with substance abuse.
But he flatly denied any involvement.
“Why would I bring cocaine into the White House and stick it into a cubby outside the situation room?” he asked, adding that he’s been clean and sober since June 2019.
The investigation was reopened after Trump resumed office in January 2025 and Republicans gained greater control in Congress, reigniting interest in Hunter’s past.
Pardons, Politics, and the Fallout of 2024
Federal Charges and Pardon Controversy
Hunter’s interview comes amid ongoing Republican investigations into Joe Biden’s presidency, including scrutiny over the preemptive pardon he granted to his son before leaving office. That pardon vacated federal charges related to tax evasion and illegal gun possession stemming from Hunter’s past business dealings.
Despite the political firestorm, Hunter defended his public service credentials, citing his past roles at Amtrak and with the US-UN World Food Program.
“I’m not ashamed of the work I’ve done,” he said. “I’ve made mistakes, but I’ve also contributed.”
Reaction from Political Insiders
The interview prompted strong reactions online and in political circles. Tommy Vietor, former Obama aide, tweeted:
“It’s good to see that Hunter has taken some time to process the election, look inward, and hold himself accountable for how his family’s insular, dare I say arrogant at times, approach to politics led to this catastrophic outcome we’re all now living with.”
While critics questioned Hunter’s tone and timing, others viewed the interview as a cathartic moment—laying bare the family drama behind a historic presidential collapse.
What It Means for Democrats and 2028
Kamala Harris’s Struggles and Party Tensions
Since Joe Biden stepped aside, the Democratic Party has been in recovery mode, attempting to rebuild from the devastating 2024 loss to Donald Trump. While Kamala Harris was quickly endorsed, her campaign failed to gain traction, ultimately losing to Trump in a closely contested general election.
Hunter’s frank comments, while potentially damaging, also offer insight into the frustrations and fractures within the party.
The Cost of Insider Loyalty
The interview underscores a recurring theme in recent political cycles: tight-knit political dynasties shielding one another, sometimes to their own detriment. By speaking out, Hunter may have complicated efforts to move forward, but also brought a necessary dose of honesty to the post-election conversation.
Unfiltered, Unapologetic, and Unrelenting
Hunter Biden’s interview is not a carefully scripted media moment—it’s raw, emotional, and deeply personal. Whether one sees it as reckless or refreshingly honest, it has reopened questions about loyalty, legacy, and the cost of power in American politics.
In a media era defined by image management and soundbites, Hunter’s unfiltered outburst stands apart—a rare glimpse into the personal and political chaos that defined the final chapter of the Biden presidency.
One thing is clear: the Biden story is far from over.
