Obama Ethics Chief Warns on Buying Hunter Biden’s Art, Cites Risk of 'Influence-Seekers Funneling Money' to the Biden Family
Former President Barack Obama's ethics chief Walter Shaub on Monday criticized President Joe Biden's son, Hunter Biden, for selling his artworks at prices ranging up to half a million dollars.
Walter Shaub said that Hunter Biden should not have priced his artworks at such a high cost since he has no history of selling art, The Daily Wire reported.
Hunter's artworks will reportedly sell from between $75,000 to $500,000, depending on the size and scope of the work.
Shaub told Fox News that the idea of Hunter Biden capitalizing on his relationship with his father by selling art at high prices has been keeping the public in the dark about who's funneling money to him.
He noted that there was a "shameful and grifty" feeling to this arrangement. The former ethics chief added that there was a risk of influence-seekers funneling money to the Biden family.
Walter Shaub noted that Hunter and his art dealer, Georges Berges, should disclose the identity of the purchasers of the said artworks. He said in that way, the public can see who might be trying to gain access to the government.
"This smells like an attempt to cash in on a family connection to the White House. At a minimum, the president should be asking his son not to go through with this auction," Shaub noted.
RELATED ARTICLE: A Hunter Biden Painting to Go on Sale for up to Half a Million Dollars
Hunter Biden's Artworks
Hunter Biden said he does not paint from emotion or feeling. Instead, he thinks painting is much more about trying to bring forward the universal truth, according to a Fox News report.
Berges plans to promote the art through a private viewing in Los Angeles, with an exhibition in New York in the fall later this year.
Hunter's art dealer also represents Sylvester Stallone. Georges Berges was once arrested in California for assault with a deadly weapon and terrorist threats.
Berges said Hunter's artworks have that authenticity that he sees in many artists he loves. He noted that a lot of the issues thrown at Hunter Biden make the president's son produce really great work.
Art dealer Alex Acevedo told New York Post that anybody who buys the artworks would be guaranteed instant profit as he is the president's son, and everybody would want a piece of that. Acevedo further noted that he is not impressed with modern art at all, but he was "floored" with Hunter's works.
Hunter Biden was asked if his father is a fan of his art. He replied by saying that his dad loves everything that he does.
Art consultant Martin Galindo has a different opinion, saying he was not a fan of Hunter's works. Galindo, however, told The Post that he was very positive that Hunter will do well in the market as the industry is very much about "like clout."
Hunter Biden did not have any formal study as an artist. However, he noted that it was something he was doing since he was seven years old. His new studio is in a three-story garage on his property.
Before diving into the art industry, Hunter published a memoir that had gained traction for its unyielding honesty on his life as a crack addict, Washingtonian reported.
Hunter Biden has been living with his new wife, Melissa Cohen, with their son, whom he named after his late brother, Beau.
WATCH: 'The Five' Question How Hunter Biden's Art Could Be Worth Up to $500K - From Fox News
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