Opinion

Is it fair to criticize Donald Trump, Jr. and not Hunter Biden?


All opinions expressed in this article are solely the opinions of the contributors.

When Donald Trump, Jr. tweeted a picture of armed Easter Bunnies on Easter weekend, he sparked widespread criticism, especially because his action came on a weekend that brought 10 mass shootings in the United States. Then some lashed out at his critics, saying, “How can you mock Donald Trump, Jr. but not Hunter Biden?”

Straight Arrow News contributor David Pakman believes there’s a big difference between these two presidential children.

The most interesting part to me is: When can you criticize a president’s kid for what they do? How can you say what Hunter Biden does doesn’t matter, but what Don Jr. does does matter?

The difference is Don Jr. is posting stuff to his huge social media following. The stuff that’s being discussed about Hunter Biden relates to business dealings from four years ago, which are being investigated by the Justice Department, and the imaginary scandal around Hunter Biden’s laptop.

These are not things that Hunter Biden is doing publicly. And Hunter Biden is nowhere in the public space. 

Don Jr. is choosing to make deliberately controversial posts to social media. So there is no analogy whatsoever to Hunter Biden. And we are criticizing to the extent that we are, quite frankly, I don’t care much what Don says, I think he’s a disgusting, ignorant guy who shouldn’t be in charge of anything, period. And of course, he’s posting disgusting stuff, but to the extent that Don Jr. is being criticized, he’s being criticized for things that he is saying. 

So there’s no analogy here. It’s not, “Oh, either you’re allowed to criticize the children of presidents or you’re not allowed to criticize the children of presidents.” It’s all context. 

So let’s stop with the double standards. Criticize people for what they say if they choose to have a public persona. Investigate people when they should be investigated. Let the facts take you where they are and stop the double standards, people. Please.