Chuck Todd Criticizes Joe Biden Over Hunter Pardon, Sparking Outrage from Both Sides

Chuck Todd, NBC News’ chief political analyst, stirred controversy on the left during an interview with fellow journalist Chris Cillizza. In their conversation, Todd unleashed a candid critique of both President Joe Biden and his son, Hunter Biden, particularly regarding the president’s controversial decision to pardon Hunter on federal tax and gun charges.

“Joe Biden’s got — needs therapy,” Todd remarked during the interview. “And I say this with respect. He has not processed Beau’s death. He has an issue. He cannot — he has this issue with Hunter. He second-guesses everything he’s done —”

“Raising him,” Cillizza interjected.

“Raising Hunter,” Todd agreed, before adding that Biden likely blamed himself for Hunter’s struggles. “Raising Beau. He, I think, blames himself for Hunter’s inability to conduct himself as an adult for a period of time. I think he’s better now.”

Todd, who knew both Beau and Hunter Biden personally, didn’t hold back in his assessment of Hunter’s past. “It’s fair to say Hunter failed at being a human being in the 2010s,” Todd said. “Failed at adulting for a variety of reasons.” However, Todd also expressed understanding for Biden’s fierce protection of his son, acknowledging that as a father, Joe Biden would do “everything he could” to shield Hunter.

“Pure and simple. It’s a dad reaction,” Todd explained. Despite his empathy, Todd was critical of the political ramifications of the pardon. He speculated that Biden’s decision would be used by MAGA allies to argue that he was “emotionally incapable of being president of the United States and probably never should have run.”

Todd, who had already expressed frustration with Biden over the Hunter Biden trial transcripts, said reading the Hallie Biden transcript — detailing Hunter’s relationship with his late brother’s widow — made him particularly angry. “You want to get angry? Just as a — somebody — with all these mixed emotions? You read the Hallie Biden transcript. And that’s Beau’s widow. Essentially he turned her into a crack addict,” Todd claimed.

In his analysis, Todd also pointed out that Joe and Jill Biden’s decision to run for president was driven by concerns for their family, but it was a “selfish” choice that had far-reaching consequences for the Democratic Party and the United States. “Their decision to run for president put the entire Democratic Party and the United States of America in the position that it’s in now,” Todd argued.

Todd’s comments ignited a firestorm, drawing criticism from both MAGA supporters and the left. Charlie Kirk, a close ally of former President Trump, questioned Todd’s sudden outrage, asking, “Where was the outrage a few years ago, Chuck?” Democratic figures like Keith Olbermann and Chris D. Jackson blasted Todd for his personal and politically charged remarks. Todd’s critics suggested that his comments were driven by commercial motives, with some even suggesting his remarks were part of a shift toward right-wing commentary.