FILE – In this Oct. 11, 2012, file photo, Hunter Biden waits for the start of the his father’s, Vice President Joe Biden’s, debate at Centre College in Danville, Ky. In 2014, then-Vice President Joe Biden was at the forefront of American diplomatic efforts to support Ukraine’s fragile democratic government as it sought to fend off Russian aggression and root out corruption. So it raised eyebrows when Biden’s son Hunter was hired by a Ukrainian gas company. President Donald Trump prodded Ukraine’s president to help him investigate any corruption related to Joe Biden, now one of the top Democrats seeking to defeat Trump in 2020. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File)

Peter Schweizer, the author of “Clinton Cash,” appeared on Hannity last night to discuss his new book, “Profiles in Corruption,” in which he details the “abuse of power by the political elite.” The story begins with the adventures of the Biden family, but also covers corruption involving other government figures such as Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Amy Klobuchar, and others.

Hunter Biden was not the only family member to reap financial rewards from his father’s lofty position. Instead, it was a family affair, which is why Schweizer dubs them the “Biden 5.” Schweizer documents how Joe Biden’s brothers, James and Frank, were offered lucrative positions and sweetheart deals (including government contracts) due to Joe’s influence. He explains that this group also “includes his daughter, Ashley, through her husband and a business, who literally set up in the White House, with Joe Biden’s help. And you’ve got his sister Valerie. All of them benefited from the political power and influence of Joe Biden and they cashed in during this period.”

Hannity first discusses Biden’s younger brother, James. During Biden’s tenure as Vice President, the HillStone Construction company owner paid a visit to Biden in the White House. Three weeks later, James Biden was hired as the company’s Executive Vice President. Three to six months later, the company received a contract to build 100,000 houses in Iraq. Biden was serving as President Obama’s point man in Iraq at the time.

Joe Biden became President Obama’s point man in Latin America and the Caribbean in 2009. In that capacity, he made what was considered a “rare and symbolic” visit to Costa Rica. Lo and behold, his brother Frank soon received a contract to build a resort, despite having little experience.

Hannity asks Schweizer why a corporation would hire someone with little to no experience in their industry. Schweizer replies, “Only companies or entities that were interested in influencing the federal government or having access to the highest levels of government.” Schweizer continues:

There’s no coincidence, Sean, that all of the deals that you talked about, whether it’s Hunter, whether it’s James, whether it’s Frank, all of them occur when? During this eight-year period when Joe Biden is Vice President of the United States. He’d been a prominent senator before that, but the ship really came in as far as these financial deals when he was Vice President. Because all of these entities either wanted something from him or they wanted to please the Vice President of the United States and the Biden family got rich as a result.

Hannity asks Schweizer if he knows how much money the Bidens made on these deals. Schweizer explains:

Let’s take the Iraq deal. We don’t know how much money he made because he doesn’t have to disclose. But, here’s what we know. The HillStone International Company was set up. There was a meeting in the White House on November 4, 2010 and this was the only time the CEO visited the White House. Went to Joe Biden’s office. Literally three weeks later, James Biden is appointed Vice President of the company. And then about three to six months later, they get this contract to build 100,000 homes in Iraq. Now, if you look at the bio HillStone International listed for James Biden, it didn’t mention anything about construction experience. It said he knew his way around the corridors of power. He had political contacts. It made note of the fact that his brother was Vice President of the United States. So, it’s very, very clear why he was hired. He was hired, I think, in part to secure these contracts and also, to run interference if there were political pressures that were brought to bear.

It’s inexplicable why none of this corruption has been addressed by Biden’s 2020 presidential nomination rivals.

Twitchy reported last night that Bernie Sanders’ campaign may have dipped a toe into these waters. Sanders recently received the endorsement of Fordham University Law professor Zephyr Teachout. Teachout penned an article over the weekend entitled, “‘Middle Class’ Joe Biden has a corruption problem – it makes him a weak candidate.”

Before you become excited, as I did, Twitchy reports, “Be aware that there’s absolutely no mention of Ukraine or Burisma in there anywhere; Teachout is more concerned with things like Joe Biden’s “pledge not to take money from the fossil fuel industry” right before he held a fundraiser with the founder of a fossil fuel conglomerate.

The “big” news is that the campaign’s “Bern Notice” newsletter highlighted the op-ed.

Biden’s rivals would be wise to take a look at Schweizer’s findings. You can bet the Trump campaign will be.

‘Middle Class’ Joe Biden has a corruption problem – it makes him a weak candidate | Zephyr Teachout https://t.co/Ooxb56VheB — Zephyr Teachout (@ZephyrTeachout) January 20, 2020

(Segment starts at 34:45 on the video.)



MBA, former financial consultant, options trader

Mom of three grown children, grandmother

Email Elizabeth at



Writer at RedStateMBA, former financial consultant, options traderMom of three grown children, grandmotherEmail Elizabeth at [email protected] Read more by Elizabeth Vaughn