Hunter Biden Plays the Victim, and Left Shifts Blame on Israel, with Peter Schweizer, Margot Cleveland, and Rabbi Steve Leder | Ep. 685
Dec 13, 2023
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Renowned investigative journalist Peter Schweizer discusses Hunter Biden's public defense amid impeachment scrutiny, exploring his alleged corruption and legal troubles. Margot Cleveland analyzes the political implications of these accusations and the scrutiny faced by political families. Rabbi Steve Leder addresses rising antisemitism and the complexities surrounding the Israel-Gaza narrative, urging a nuanced understanding of the situation. Together, they tackle pressing issues of accountability, privilege, and cultural reflections.
Hunter Biden's decision to publicly defy the subpoena and speak to the press instead of testifying before Congress raises questions about his motivations and the seriousness of the allegations against him.
There is already ample evidence to support a criminal bribery inquiry involving President Biden, including the firing of a prosecutor in Ukraine and financial transactions with foreign entities.
The rise of anti-Semitism and the distorted narrative surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict necessitate collective efforts to combat hate and promote understanding and unity.
Deep dives
Hunter Biden skips deposition, flips the bird to Republicans
Despite being scheduled to appear for a deposition behind closed doors as part of an impeachment inquiry into President Biden's alleged ties to his son's overseas business dealings, Hunter Biden instead showed up at Capitol Hill and gave the Republicans the finger rhetorically. This move was met with confusion and criticism from legal experts who questioned why he would openly defy the subpoena and make comments in front of the press without taking any questions. Hunter Biden's remarks about his struggles with addiction and his family's support were seen as an attempt to deflect from the serious allegations and potential legal issues surrounding his business dealings.
Jonathan Turley questions Hunter Biden's decision-making
Legal expert Jonathan Turley criticized Hunter Biden's decision to openly defy the subpoena and make public statements instead of appearing before lawmakers. Turley pointed out that this move seemed unwise and questioned why Hunter Biden would choose to do so. He also remarked on the irony of Hunter Biden playing the victim and talking about his family's love, while facing serious allegations of exploiting his father's position for personal gain. Turley emphasized that the impeachment inquiry is not about Hunter Biden personally, but rather about potential corruption and bribery involving his father's connections.
Peter Schweizer highlights possible bribery and financial involvement
Peter Schweizer, president of the Government Accountability Institute, discussed the potential bribery and financial involvement surrounding Joe Biden and his family. Schweizer pointed to examples such as the firing of a prosecutor in Ukraine, money transfers from a Russian oligarch's wife, and Joe Biden's negotiation of a deal with Chinese companies. He argued that there is already ample evidence to support a criminal bribery inquiry involving the president. Schweizer also criticized the emphasis on payments from Hunter Biden to Joe Biden directly, arguing that the enrichment of other family members due to Joe Biden's public service should be investigated as well.
Margot Cleveland challenges Hunter Biden's claims
Margot Cleveland, senior legal correspondent at The Federalist, highlighted the contradictions in Hunter Biden's statements and defended the scrutiny around his financial affairs. She argued that Joe Biden's lack of financial involvement does not absolve him of potential bribery charges if his family members profited from his public service. Cleveland also questioned Hunter Biden's defense of addiction and emphasized that it does not excuse his alleged crimes. Additionally, she addressed the controversy surrounding the diversion agreement in California and its potential impact on the case against Hunter Biden.
The Danger of Flipping the Script on Anti-Semitism
The podcast episode explores the disturbing rise of anti-Semitism, particularly on college campuses. The guest, Rabbi Steve Leader, expresses disappointment in the conflation and deliberate flipping of the script when it comes to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He argues that Hamas, the perpetrator of violence, is being wrongly portrayed as the victim, leading to a dangerous normalization of Jew hatred. He also highlights the hypocrisy in how Jew hatred is treated compared to other forms of racism, pointing out the double standards and the unique targeting of Jews. Rabbi Leader remains hopeful for change and calls for a collective effort to combat this cancer of hate.
Finding Hope and Courage Amidst Fear
In light of the rise in anti-Semitism and the fear faced by many Jews, the episode discusses how to navigate this challenging climate. Rabbi Leader encourages Jews to be proud, brave, and unapologetic about their identity, emphasizing the importance of exercising the power and responsibility inherent in being the chosen people. He challenges the myth of the Hanukkah oil and instead focuses on the true narrative of the holiday, highlighting the triumph of tenacity and the exercise of power. He also expresses a wish for solidarity, suggesting that decent gentiles and Muslims display menorahs in their windows as a statement of unity and allyship.
Megyn Kelly is joined by Margot Cleveland, lawyer for the New Civil Liberties Alliance, and Peter Schweizer, host of The Drill Down podcast, to discuss Hunter Biden playing the victim and speaking to the press instead of testifying before Congress, the contempt proceedings that will now take place against him, the relevance of Hunter Biden's lobbying operations, what we know about President Biden's involvement, the reasons we already know President Biden has committed bribery because his family was enriched, the evidence of corruption that has been revealed so far, the shifting narrative about President Biden's involvement in Hunter Biden's business, Hunter Biden going on Moby's podcast and saying the GOP in the House are trying to kill him to hurt his dad President Biden, what's behind Jack Smith's aggressive timeline on the Trump 1/6 trial and how the Supreme Court is getting involved, the major lawsuit filed against the Biden administration by The Daily Wire and The Federalist, and more. Then Rabbi Steve Leder of Wilshire Boulevard Temple joins to discuss his disappointment in people’s inability to disambiguate Hamas' atrocities and the more nuanced situation in Gaza, the clear anti-Semitism from some on the left, the depth of Jew hatred and hypocrisy of some of his former allies, how anti-Israel Americans flip the script and blame victims, who really are the perpetrators in Gaza and the Middle East, the true meaning of Hanukkah (and what First Gentleman Doug Emhoff got wrong), a powerful message to American Jews and supporters of Jewish people this tough year, and more.
