One year after Biden dropped out of the 2024 presidential race, his son is sharing several controversial opinions about his father’s political downfall

In a stunning revelation that has reignited debate over one of the most pivotal moments of the 2024 election cycle, Hunter Biden is now claiming that his father,

President Joe Biden, was given Ambien before his widely criticized debate performance against Donald Trump—an allegation that, if true, could help explain one of the most dramatic political implosions in modern U.S. history.

The comments came during a candid conversation Hunter Biden had during a recent interview, marking one year since his father officially dropped out of the 2024 presidential race.

Hunter, 54, who has largely avoided political commentary in recent months amid his own legal battles, surprised many by speaking openly about what he believes contributed to his father’s abrupt downfall.

According to Hunter, the night before the first 2024 presidential debate in June, aides allegedly gave then-President Biden Ambien, a prescription sleep aid commonly used to treat insomnia.

Hunter suggested this may have left his father groggy and mentally unprepared when he took the stage opposite Donald Trump. “They were trying to manage his sleep schedule, but it backfired,” he reportedly said. “He wasn’t sharp, he wasn’t himself—and they knew it.”

The debate itself, held on June 27, 2024, was widely seen as a disaster for the Biden campaign. Viewers noted the president’s halting speech, confused expressions, and moments where he appeared to lose his train of thought entirely.

Social media exploded with criticism, and even some longtime Democratic strategists began questioning whether Biden could effectively lead the party into a second term.

Within weeks of the debate, pressure mounted from donors, lawmakers, and the media. On July 21, Biden announced he would be ending his campaign, citing the need for the Democratic Party to “move forward with a new generation of leadership.”

Vice President Kamala Harris eventually took his place on the ticket but lost the general election to Donald Trump in November 2024.

While there had long been speculation about Biden’s physical and cognitive readiness for a second term—especially given his age, 81 at the time of the debate—Hunter’s comments are the first to suggest that medication may have directly played a role in his father’s poor performance.

It also raises new questions about the level of transparency from Biden’s inner circle and medical team during the campaign.

Critics of the former president quickly seized on Hunter’s statement, calling it further proof that Biden was being shielded from scrutiny and possibly manipulated by those closest to him.

Some right-wing commentators even floated the idea that if true, administering such a sedative before a live debate bordered on political malpractice.

However, others have pushed back, pointing out that Ambien’s effects can vary greatly from person to person, and any such claim needs to be thoroughly verified.

There has been no official confirmation from Biden’s former campaign staff or doctors regarding the use of any sleep aids before the debate.

For his part, Hunter Biden’s motivations for speaking out remain unclear. The president’s son has been facing intense legal and public scrutiny over the past two years, including a conviction in June 2025 on federal gun charges and ongoing investigations into his business dealings.

Some critics argue he is trying to shift focus away from his own controversies by inserting himself into the political narrative. Others say it’s simply the emotional reaction of a son watching his father’s legacy unravel in real time.

In the wake of these comments, several prominent Democrats have remained silent, likely wary of rehashing a painful chapter in the party’s recent history. But behind closed doors, the fallout from the 2024 debate remains a raw and unresolved topic.

As the country begins to look ahead to the 2028 election, Hunter Biden’s claims are likely to fuel new discussions about age, health, and honesty in presidential campaigns—and whether the public was told the full truth before one of the most consequential debates in American political memory.