The Bidens publicly acknowledge their seventh grandchild for the first time

CNN
—

President Joe Biden publicly acknowledged Friday a daughter to his son Hunter for the first timebreaking a long silence on the matter by describing the situation as a “family matter.”

“Our son Hunter and Navy’s mother, Lunden, are working together to foster a relationship that is in their daughter’s best interest and preserve her privacy as much as possible moving forward,” Biden said in a statement. first reported by People.

The statement continued to read: “This is not a political issue, it is a family matter.”

“Jill and I want only the best for all of our grandchildren, including Navy,” the statement read.

The statement corresponds to the Bidens’ first acknowledgment of their seventh grandchild.

The president spoke with his son and family about the overall situation with his granddaughter, Navy, and wishes her the best, including possibly meeting her at some point, according to a source familiar with the matter.

The case has become politically sensitive in recent months as Hunter Biden’s legal situation came into the spotlight.

Lunden Roberts, a woman from Arkansas, gave birth to a girl and claimed Hunter Biden was the father in 2019. He denied paternity, but after a DNA test confirmed he was the father, he eventually agreed in 2020 to pay $20,000 a month in child support.

Hunter Biden tried to reduce the monthly payments and last month settled a child support case. As part of the deal, Hunter Biden will give some of his paintings to his daughter, who can either keep some of her selections or keep the money from any sale of those paintings.

Roberts is also dropping her bid to change the girl’s last name to “Biden,” according to the court.

In an April lawsuit, Roberts said Hunter Biden has “never seen or contacted” his 4-year-old daughter, and that President Biden and first lady Dr. Jill Biden “remains estranged” from their grandson.

A source familiar with the situation pointed to the contentious lawsuits to justify why the Bidens are now acknowledging their seventh grandchild.

“You have to remember that there was some pretty contentious litigation between Navy’s parents going on up until just a few weeks ago. As grandparents, the Bidens are following Hunter’s lead. They are – and have been – giving Hunter and Lunden space and time to to figure things out, says the source.

Now that much of the legal issue has been sorted out, “Navy’s parents are working on a way forward that is best for her,” the source said.

“Thousands of families have faced similar circumstances, working out in private versus the spotlight. At the center is a 4-year-old girl, and everyone wants what’s best for her, including all of her grandparents,” said the known source.

This story has been updated with additional information.