# Hunter Biden artwork attracts ethics scrutiny **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [July 8, 2021, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunter-biden-artwork-attracts-ethics-scrutiny/946031 "2021-07-08T21:55:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2021, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunter-biden-artwork-attracts-ethics-scrutiny/946031/141 "2021-07-09T20:39:19Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > I ask again, what can Hunter do that would pay his bills that you wouldn’t see as something that appears to be using the office for personal financial gain? Is there _anything_ at all that you would, once presented the spin by the right wing scandal machine, say is acceptable? I’m not going to excerpt the **[BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/)**. Suffice to say that there are a nearly endless number of jobs that he could do that would likely keep him under radar, providing the pay was reasonably near normal and the sources of funds weren’t clandestine and guarded. Oh, and I learned of this story on CNN. Their expert being interviewed was **[Walter Shaub](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Shaub).** > [@k9bfriender](#): > > If _I_ hired him to groom dogs, would that be okay? Of course. Unless you hired him via an untraceable shell corporation and were paying him a million bucks a year to groom dogs. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2021, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunter-biden-artwork-attracts-ethics-scrutiny/946031/142 "2021-07-09T20:42:06Z")
> [@Lance\_Turbo](#): > > Assuming Joe insisted on those or similar things, as he likely did, now what? Assumption of fact not in evidence. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2021, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunter-biden-artwork-attracts-ethics-scrutiny/946031/143 "2021-07-09T20:53:22Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > What did Joe Biden do wrong here? Nothing. He is not at fault and I’m not accusing him of having done anything unethical. Hunter is not at fault either. He’s just trying to make a living. The problem is, it looks bad. Not because the right can exploit the fact that it looks bad. That’s politics. Democrats would do the same were the shoe on the other foot. They’d be foolish not to. That’s what politics is now and has been for more years that I’ve been alive. Remember: “Call him a pig fucker…” Unless Hunter Biden has been a struggling artists all these years with real talent, this is straight out opportunism. Sons of oligarchs and monarchs around the world have been doing this time immemorial. Unless you find nothing wrong with that, then you have to be a little uncomfortable with this. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2021, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunter-biden-artwork-attracts-ethics-scrutiny/946031/144 "2021-07-09T20:53:50Z")
> [@DavidNRockies](#): > > Suffice to say that there are a nearly endless number of jobs that he could do that would likely keep him under radar, providing the pay was reasonably near normal and the sources of funds weren’t clandestine and guarded. But no executive or director positions. Or any creative works, like being an artist. Or any positions where it was _possible_ that some bit of his pay may come from unknown parties. If he was a server in a restaurant, would his tips be scrutinized, his customers suspect of being influence peddlers? How will you know his pay? Is he required to disclose his earnings to the public as a private citizen? If he doesn’t, will that “look bad”? > [@DavidNRockies](#): > > Unless you hired him via an untraceable shell corporation and were paying him a million bucks a year to groom dogs. I live in Trumplandia, so it wouldn’t work for me, but if I lived in a much bluer area, what if I hired him because I thought it would increase my customer base having his name on my groomer list, even though he’s not really that good a groomer, and paid him more than I pay my “real” groomers? ---
**Author:** ![Yookeroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yookeroo/32/323_2.png) [@Yookeroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yookeroo)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2021, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunter-biden-artwork-attracts-ethics-scrutiny/946031/145 "2021-07-09T20:59:03Z")
> [@filmore](#): > > True, but Hillary’s handling of the emails by being dismissive and pre-scrubbing the disk of all the “yoga appointment” emails likely ended up getting Trump elected. Decades of anti-Hillary propaganda got Trump elected. The GQP weill always find “scandals”. Walking on eggshells in order to prevent this is a fool’s game. There is no ethical problem with Hunter selling artwork. Especially when steps are taken to prevent him from knowing who the buyer is. What could be more ethical? ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2021, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunter-biden-artwork-attracts-ethics-scrutiny/946031/146 "2021-07-09T21:05:43Z")
> [@Yookeroo](#): > > Especially when steps are taken to prevent him from knowing who the buyer is. What could be more ethical? Preventing the buyer from knowing who the artist is. Hunter is not fucking Banksy. The only reason people are willing to pay unusually high prices for his art is because of who his daddy is. Can we just admit that? ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2021, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunter-biden-artwork-attracts-ethics-scrutiny/946031/147 "2021-07-09T21:06:43Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Nothing. He is not at fault and I’m not accusing him of having done anything unethical. Hunter is not at fault either. He’s just trying to make a living. So, no one did anything wrong, and yet… > [@QuickSilver](#): > > The problem is, it looks bad. Even though no one did anything wrong. There’s something very wrong with that, something I can’t really get my head around. > [@QuickSilver](#): > > Not because the right can exploit the fact that it looks bad. No, the right is claiming that it looks bad, and you all are just believing them. > [@QuickSilver](#): > > Democrats would do the same were the shoe on the other foot. They’d be foolish not to. You can clearly see they didn’t. What scandals were involved with Tiffany Trump? We don’t go after family that is not holding office. Republicans do. And they get you to go along with it. > [@QuickSilver](#): > > Remember: “Call him a pig fucker…” Sure, the guy running for office. Not his son. > [@QuickSilver](#): > > Unless Hunter Biden has been a struggling artists all these years with real talent, this is straight out opportunism. Sure it is, for those who buy his paintings. Who actually sits around and stares at their 5-7 figure artistic acquisitions? It’s bragging rights. “I’ve got a Monet” “I’ve got a Maltese”, “I’ve got a Bush”, “I’ve got a Biden”. But there’s nothing corrupt or wrong with this, it’s just the way the art world works. > [@QuickSilver](#): > > Sons of oligarchs and monarchs around the world have been doing this time immemorial. Yeah, that way people can impress their friends that they have an artwork made by someone famous. > [@QuickSilver](#): > > Unless you find nothing wrong with that, then you have to be a little uncomfortable with this. Out of all the shenanigans that rich people get up to, buying art is pretty much towards the bottom of the list of problematic behavior. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2021, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunter-biden-artwork-attracts-ethics-scrutiny/946031/148 "2021-07-09T21:07:06Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Preventing the buyer from knowing who the artist is. That’s exactly what they have done. Even though it’s not something that would in any way be required, they went ahead and did so. What else do you want them to do, except exactly what you say you want them to do? > [@QuickSilver](#): > > The only reason people are willing to pay unusually high prices for his art is because of who his daddy is. Can we just admit that? I’m sure I could charge more for dog grooming if I had a famous name to add to my roster, even if their skills were subpar. Is there anything wrong with that? ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2021, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunter-biden-artwork-attracts-ethics-scrutiny/946031/149 "2021-07-09T21:11:03Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > No, the right is claiming that it looks bad, and you all are just believing them. No. I’ve not read a single word of what the right has to say about any of this. First time I even heard of him being an artist is in the OP. > [@k9bfriender](#): > > That’s exactly what they have done. Even though it’s not something that would in any way be required, they went ahead and did so. Correct me if I’m wrong… but that is not what they did. What they did was prevent Hunter Biden from knowing who the buyer is. Is that not so? ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2021, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunter-biden-artwork-attracts-ethics-scrutiny/946031/150 "2021-07-09T21:14:35Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > I’ve not read a single word of what the right has to say about any of this. First time I even heard of him being an artist is in the OP. And it’s only a story because the right wing scandal machine has made it one. > [@QuickSilver](#): > > What they did was prevent Hunter Biden from knowing who the buyer is. Is that not so? Sorry, I did read what you said backwards. My bad. But that’s just ridiculous. Would a Monet be worth more than the canvas it’s painted on if you didn’t know it was a Monet? Why is a reproduction not worth as much as the original, if it’s just about what it looks like? Would you pay as much for a reproduction of the Mona Lisa as for the real thing? Why is not preventing Hunter from knowing who bought it not enough? How can someone peddle influence if they are anonymous? ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2021, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunter-biden-artwork-attracts-ethics-scrutiny/946031/151 "2021-07-09T21:16:56Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > But that’s just ridiculous. Would a Monet be worth more than the canvas it’s painted on if you didn’t know it was a Monet? Hunter is not an established artist. Even Monet died poor. This is nothing but blatant and cynical opportunism on the part of Hunter Biden. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2021, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunter-biden-artwork-attracts-ethics-scrutiny/946031/152 "2021-07-09T21:17:59Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > How can someone peddle influence if they are anonymous? I’m not concerned about influence peddling. I already said there does not appear to be an ethical breach here. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2021, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunter-biden-artwork-attracts-ethics-scrutiny/946031/153 "2021-07-09T21:20:22Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > This is nothing but blatant and cynical opportunism on the part of Hunter Biden. It’s bragging rights for rich people. “This was made by someone whose name you know!” That’s all it’s about. That may be opportunism on Hunter’s part, but so what? If you suddenly became super famous, and someone offered you 100k for the shoes you are wearing, would you take the offer? > [@QuickSilver](#): > > I’m not concerned about influence peddling. I already said there does not appear to be an ethical breach here. Then what is it that looks bad? If there is no concern over influence peddling, and there are no ethical breaches, what is the actual problem? ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2021, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunter-biden-artwork-attracts-ethics-scrutiny/946031/154 "2021-07-09T21:22:26Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > Then what is it that looks bad? If there is no concern over influence peddling, and there are no ethical breaches, what is the actual problem? Hunter has a exceptional gift for failing up. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2021, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunter-biden-artwork-attracts-ethics-scrutiny/946031/155 "2021-07-09T21:23:26Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > It’s bragging rights for rich people. We are not arguing about spending habits of rich people. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2021, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunter-biden-artwork-attracts-ethics-scrutiny/946031/156 "2021-07-09T22:06:47Z")
[Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner Report Income of at Least $36 Million in 2019](https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/01/business/ivanka-trump-jared-kushner-financial-disclosure.html). Not a bad income for a pair of government workers. ---
**Author:** ![Lance\_Turbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lance_turbo/32/6156_2.png) [@Lance\_Turbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_Turbo)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2021, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunter-biden-artwork-attracts-ethics-scrutiny/946031/157 "2021-07-09T22:49:29Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Assumption of fact not in evidence. We definitely have evidence that someone suggested some form of mitigation to Hunter. That’s beside the point. Joe can insist on anything he wants, but Hunter has no obligation to listen. Your ideas that Hunter should sell the paintings under a pseudonym or wait until after Joe leaves office are both incredibly poor business decisions from Hunter’s standpoint. He would be foolish to take those courses of action even if Joe insisted upon them. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2021, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunter-biden-artwork-attracts-ethics-scrutiny/946031/158 "2021-07-09T22:59:05Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Hunter is not an established artist He is now. > [@QuickSilver](#): > > This is nothing but blatant and cynical opportunism on the part of Hunter Biden. That’s a synonym for “good business practices”. Celebrities bank on their name to sell stuff. That’s what branding is. There is nothing unethical about it aside from the general “down with kapitalism” sort of criticism. Now, if General Yang in the Chinese Army bought a painting for millions of dollars and then Joe Biden goes on a tour praising China, and you can connect the dots with more than innuendo, that’s a different story. That’s corruption. But selling stuff at a premium because your dad is PUSA is nothing new or surprising, or wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2021, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunter-biden-artwork-attracts-ethics-scrutiny/946031/159 "2021-07-09T23:39:08Z")
> [@Ike\_Witt](#): > > Not a bad income for a pair of government workers. They did some work? I mean, Jared was assigned to fix everything from infrastructure to Israeli-Palestine relations, but as far as I could tell he stood there silent and motionless like the creepy wax figure he appears to be. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2021, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunter-biden-artwork-attracts-ethics-scrutiny/946031/160 "2021-07-09T23:46:02Z")
I remember that he was silent for so long that The Daily Show played clips of him with Gilbert Gottfried as his voice. And then _eventually_, we heard him talk. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunter-biden-artwork-attracts-ethics-scrutiny/946031.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunter-biden-artwork-attracts-ethics-scrutiny/946031.md?page=9)