‘You Must’ve Seen the Optics’: Hunter Biden Pressed on Whether it Was a ‘Mistake’ Joining Burisma Board

Hunter Biden went on the defensive as CBS’ Tracy Smith questioned him over his job with Burisma while his father was vice president of the United States.

President Joe Biden’s son spoke to Smith for CBS Sunday Morning ahead of the release of his upcoming memoir Beautiful Things. Hunter used much of the interview to preview the stories in his book about his battles with drug addiction and his relationships with his family.

Part of the interview revolved around the younger Biden fielding questions about his laptop controversy and the ongoing investigation into his taxes. At one point though, Smith confronted him over being on the board of Burisma Holdings while Biden’s father was involved in U.S. policy with Ukraine at the time.

“Looking back, did you make a mistake taking a spot on that board?” Smith asked.

“No, I don’t think I made a mistake in taking the spot on the board,” said Biden. “I think I made a mistake in terms of underestimating the way in which it would be used against me.”

Smith pressed onward, telling Biden, “You must have seen the optics. Even back then you must have. How could you not have foreseen that this was gonna look bad?”

“Because I really didn’t,” Biden answered. “I’m being as honest with you as I possibly can. All I know is that not one investigative body, not one serious journalist, have ever accused, has ever come to the conclusion that I did anything wrong, or that my father did anything wrong.”

The controversy surrounding the Bidens and Ukraine was frequently invoked by former President Donald Trump before and during the 2020 presidential election. His infamous call with the president of Ukraine mentioned the Bidens, and that controversy led to his first impeachment.

Watch above (the relevant part starts at the 5:15 mark), via CBS.