Biden publicly recognizes grandchild, Hunter’s 4-year-old daughter, for first time

President Joe Biden on Friday publicly acknowledged for the first time his seventh grandchild, Navy Joan Roberts, the 4-year old daughter of his son Hunter.

Biden said in a statement that he and the first lady “only want what is best for all of our grandchildren, including Navy.”

“This is not a political issue, it’s a family matter,” Biden continued. “Our son Hunter and Navy’s mother, Lunden, are working together to foster a relationship that is in the best interests of their daughter, preserving her privacy as much as possible going forward.”

The statement was first provided to People magazine.

As someone who frequently talks about his close-knit extended family, Biden has been under scrutiny for failing to publicly acknowledge the girl. Since becoming president, he and Jill Biden often refer to their “six grandchildren” but have never mentioned Hunter’s child from his affair with Lunden Roberts. In 2019, Roberts filed a lawsuit against Hunter, who was determined to be the father of her child through DNA testing.

Roberts and her daughter live in Arkansas, where Navy has grown up.

The public acknowledgement comes shortly after the bitter child support and paternity issues were resolved. As grandparents, Biden and the first lady were following Hunter’s lead during the proceedings, according to a source familiar with the situation granted anonymity to discuss a sensitive situation.

The case settled in Arkansas last month after years of dispute. Court filings did not state the amount of child support but said she would also receive some of Hunter’s paintings.

Jonathan Lemire contributed to this report.