Overview
- Hunter Biden made the remarks on Don Lemon’s podcast on Wednesday, July 23, 2026, calling Jake Tapper “a complete and utter a**hole” and saying Tapper was “full of f*cking sh*t.”
- CNN released a statement saying Tapper is a respected journalist whose work “speaks for itself” and that he has long challenged those in power.
- Tapper co-authored the 2025 book Original Sin, which criticized President Biden’s 2024 campaign and alleged a cover-up about the president’s age and health.
- Hunter said he has known Tapper for about 25 years, described his objections as personal rather than political, and noted he is not running for office.
- News outlets framed the episode through differing editorial lenses and the episode could heighten tensions between the Biden family and journalists while prompting more public defenses from news organizations.