Insights Gleaned from Lunden Roberts' Memoir, Being the Mother of Hunter Biden's Child in Arkansas
Lunden Roberts, along with co-authors Josh Manning and Erin Brownback, unveiled their perspectives in the often-talked-about tale titled "Out of the Shadows", published on Tuesday. The 312-page narrative recounts Roberts' encounter with Hunter Biden in Washington D.C., where she fell for "the most charismatic individual I've ever met", despite his daily struggle against his "addiction demons".
Roberts described herself as a "traditional Democratic from Arkansas" who voted for Joe Biden in 2020. Despite this, she hired a "MAGA-supporting lawyer" who was "a loyal pit bull" and his wife, who had legal battles with Hunter Biden.
The book touches upon some incidents that could potentially influence Hunter Biden's upcoming tax evasion trial scheduled for next month, where Roberts has been summoned to testify.
CNN reached out to Hunter Biden's legal team and the White House for comments.
Here's what you should know from Roberts' deeply personal memoir.
Experiencing Addiction Up Close
Post-college, Roberts relocated to D.C. for further studies. However, she admitted to being "naïve" and "impulsive", leading her to a wild house party where she met Biden, who was two decades her senior.
She stumbled upon him in a secluded room, wearing just his boxers, holding a crack pipe. Despite her initial shock, she wrote, "In the first five minutes, he's learned my entire life story, and the only thing I know about him is that he's suffering. I can tell he's intelligent, and he has a demon haunting him."
They quickly began a romantic relationship around early 2017. Roberts admired his generosity, such as paying for a homeless man and his son to stay in a luxury hotel. However, she also immersed herself in his "toxic" lifestyle, meeting his drug dealers, constant partying with friends, and witnessing him consume "a gallon or more" of Tito's vodka almost every day.
"His addiction leaves no room for peace or even basic rest. It shows no mercy," Roberts wrote, later describing Biden as "a man in extreme pain, tormented by guilt, self-medicating his demons, seeking validation, yet seen as the family's black sheep."
Bitter Paternity Dispute and Child Support Case
After Roberts got pregnant in late 2017, Biden missed their first heartbeat ultrasound, and then slept with one of her friends, she claimed. So, she returned to Batesville, Arkansas.
In the book, Roberts revealed her plan to commit suicide after giving birth, concluding that "everyone will benefit from me being gone, including Navy," her daughter. She drafted suicide notes for her family but changed her mind after Navy's birth.
She filed a paternity suit when Biden claimed he couldn't recall their encounter. (A DNA test, later conducted as part of the case, confirmed he was the father.)
"I don't want this to be a scandal. I never did," Roberts wrote, explaining why she initiated a lawsuit against Hunter Biden in the spring of 2019. "I'm supporting Joe in the upcoming election, and I'm not part of a conspiracy to bring down the Biden dynasty. It would just be nice if Hunter would tell the truth and provide my daughter with the father she deserves."
Roberts hired attorneys Clint and Jennifer Lancaster, who were staunch supporters of former President Donald Trump. They were aggressive and secured $20,000 in monthly child support in 2020. However, two years later, when Biden was running low on funds while facing a federal criminal investigation, he attempted to reduce the payments.
The estranged pair faced off in a Batesville court in 2023. The Lancasters used Biden's "infamous laptop" and called a "fiery right-wing activist" as a "expert witness."
During Biden's deposition a month later, Roberts agreed to meet with him one-on-one for the first time in years. She claimed Biden apologized and spoke of "guilt and remorse," as Roberts shared photos of Navy. They were "laughing and crying" together, she wrote.
"We agreed" that Biden would only need to pay $5,000 each month moving forward, a figure not previously disclosed. And Biden pledged to establish a relationship with Navy, Roberts wrote, saying this was crucial for their daughter to have a father.
How Biden Became a Part of Navy's Life
The book highlights challenging episodes in Navy's young life where she, according to her mother, struggled with Biden's absence and her complicated role within the Biden family.
From a distance, Roberts taught Navy about her famous relatives in D.C., writing, "She's aware of the man on the TV we're cheering for to win is her other grandfather," referring to Joe Biden.
Her parents are Republicans, and Trump won over 77% of the vote in her hometown in Arkansas in 2020. But Roberts wrote, "I'm in no way a fan of Donald Trump."
Roberts obtained a children's book written by first lady Jill Biden and read it to Navy. However, she was moved to tears upon seeing the dedication on the first page, which only acknowledged everyone except Navy. Roberts found this to be "insensitive," and she believed Jill Biden "neglected a small, innocent child and a family member."
Following the resolution of the child-support dispute, Joe Biden recognized the Navy publicly for the first time, mentioning, "Jill and I are solely concerned about what's best for all our grandchildren, including Navy." True to his word, Hunter Biden worked on strengthening their relationship: Their initial video chat occurred in autumn 2023, and they now engage in weekly conversations.
Even amidst his own legal concerns, Roberts consistently made time for his virtual meetings with Navy, who celebrates her sixth birthday this month. They connected during the solar eclipse in April, with Batesville falling under the zone of total darkness. At the end of the narrative, Roberts commended Biden for his dedication to "exceeding expectations to ensure Navy feels cherished by her father."
Editor's Note: If you or someone you're acquainted with is experiencing distress, reach out to the national crisis hotline: 1-800-273-TALK.
In the context of the narrative, Lunden Roberts' political affiliations could potentially impact her role in Hunter Biden's upcoming tax evasion trial, given her status as a "traditional Democratic from Arkansas" who voted for Joe Biden in 2020, but hired a lawyer known for supporting Donald Trump.
Furthermore, the politics surrounding Hunter Biden's personal life and paternity dispute with Roberts have extended to the courtroom, with Roberts' attorneys, Clint and Jennifer Lancaster, being known for their support of former President Donald Trump, and using his "infamous laptop" as evidence during their trial.
