President Joe Biden’s seventh grandchild might have found a grandfather – finally. In a Friday statement, Biden publicly acknowledged Navy Joan Roberts, the daughter of his son Hunter Biden and Lunden Roberts.
This marks the first time the president has openly mentioned Navy, as all of previous posts and statements regarding his grandchildren always managed to exclude the 4-year-old.
CNN: Biden is finally acknowledging his seventh grandchild — more than four years after she was born — because Hunter has now "largely resolved a protracted and bitter court proceeding over child support." pic.twitter.com/4CdCuQAjE7
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) July 28, 2023
In the statement to People, the president pointed out that Hunter and Roberts are “working together to foster a relationship that is in the best interests of their daughter, preserving her privacy as much as possible going forward.”
He then went on to make it clear that the issue of Navy is not about politics but a family affair. “This is not a political issue, it’s a family matter. Jill and I only want what is best for all of our grandchildren, including Navy,” he stated.
Several Americans, including some Republican presidential hopefuls have taken aim at the president for not acknowledging Navy as his granddaughter in public remarks. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis challenged Biden, urging him to spend time with Navy in Arkansas and recognize her existence before worrying about other issues.
Even Vivek Ramaswamy expressed his hope for the president to step up and acknowledge his own granddaughter.
Good to see the American media finally displaying a little bit of curiosity about Hunter and Joe Biden’s “family values.” Would be nice if @JoeBiden finally steps up and acknowledges his own granddaughter.https://t.co/rQqpsGUExR
— Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) July 2, 2023
In the past, Biden had mentioned his other six grandchildren, whom he adores and speaks to every single day. However, Navy’s absence from these mentions fueled discussions about the family’s handling of the situation.
In a statement on Take Your Child To Work Day in April, he issued a statement, saying, “I have six grandchildren. And I’m crazy about them. And I speak to them every single day. Not a joke. Matter of fact, I just got finished going through the calls.”
The statement caused a round of backlash at the time, with many wondering what kind of grandfather refuses to acknowledge his granddaughter, possibly due to the circumstances surrounding her birth and the legal dispute between his son and the mother.
Last month, Hunter and Lunden resolved a paternity case in an Arkansas court. Initially denying fatherhood, he agreed to provide child support to Navy until she turns 18, offer some of his paintings, and discuss a college fund. As part of the agreement, Roberts withdrew her counterclaim to change Navy’s last name to Biden.
Navy makes Hunter’s fifth child and fourth daughter, as he has three daughters from his previous marriage and a son with his wife Melissa Cohen. Biden’s two other grandchildren are the children of his late son Beau and wife Hallie.
