One of the patrons who contributed to Joe Biden’s son Hunter Biden earning $1.3 million from his artwork is a major Democratic Party donor who visited the White House multiple times and was appointed by President Biden to an esteemed art commission, according to US media reports. Elizabeth Hirsh Naftali, a Los Angeles real estate investor who donated over $200,000 to Joe Biden’s 2020 presidential campaign, was among the buyers of Hunter Biden’s paintings, as reported by Business Insider.
It is unclear whether Naftali made the purchase before or after President Biden appointed her to the Commission for the Preservation of America’s Heritage Abroad in July 2022. Hunter Biden, despite being a novice artist with no formal training, has earned significant proceeds from his art sales, with at least $1.3 million since his debut in 2021. Three sources familiar with the matter revealed that Hunter Biden learned the identities of at least two buyers, including Naftali and Los Angeles lawyer Kevin Morris.
This revelation contradicts previous claims by the White House that art buyers would not be able to gain political influence by paying high prices for Hunter Biden’s paintings, as neither the artist nor the administration would know their identities. The then-White House press secretary, Jen Psaki, stated in July 2021 that they believed in a reasonable system that allowed Hunter Biden to work in his profession with appropriate safeguards.
Around the same time, Walter Shaub, who previously served as the ethics chief in the Obama-Biden administration, criticized Hunter Biden’s decision to market his paintings after his father became president, calling it “absolutely appalling.” Shaub expressed concerns that Hunter Biden was trying to profit from his father’s political position instead of building his own career.
The Biden family has faced allegations of influence-peddling, which came to light in October 2021 after the New York Post obtained a copy of the hard drive from a laptop abandoned by Hunter Biden at a Delaware repair shop. Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy claimed that emerging evidence of the business dealings involving Biden family members could potentially warrant an impeachment inquiry. Former Biden family business partner Devon Archer is expected to testify that then-Vice President Biden joined in Hunter Biden’s calls with overseas associates on numerous occasions.
Naftali, who has donated over $13,000 to Joe Biden’s re-election campaign and $29,700 to Democratic congressional candidates in 2022, has visited the White House at least 13 times since President Biden took office. She also hosted a fundraiser featuring Vice President Kamala Harris. The largest single buyer of Hunter Biden’s artwork, who remains unidentified, purchased 11 paintings for a total of $875,000. Lawyer Kevin Morris, referred to as Hunter Biden’s “sugar brother,” reportedly loaned him over $2 million to cover back taxes and avoid felony penalties under a settlement with federal prosecutors.
Morris has also allowed Hunter Biden to use his private jet for travel to and from an Arkansas courthouse for hearings related to a child support case involving his daughter from a previous relationship. In a recent incident, Morris was seen allegedly smoking from a bong on the balcony of his Malibu home during Hunter Biden’s visit to the mansion.
This latest revelation further adds to the controversy surrounding Hunter Biden’s artwork sales and raises questions about potential political influence in the art market. It remains to be seen how these revelations will impact public perception and ongoing investigations into the Biden family’s activities.
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