Hunter Biden played a behind-the-scenes role in discussions about then-President Joe Biden’s political future following a rocky 2024 debate, according to unpublished excerpts from a new book.

The forthcoming book reveals that Hunter Biden encouraged his father to step back from the presidential race and participated in White House strategy calls following a pivotal U.S. Supreme Court ruling, as Fox News reports.

The upcoming book, 2024: How Trump Retook the White House and the Democrats Lost America, written by Josh Dawsey, Tyler Pager, and Isaac Arnsdorf, offers new detail on the period leading to Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race.

It includes accounts of Hunter Biden’s involvement and concerns following a poor debate performance by the then-president in June 2024.

Post-debate concerns spark private conversation

Hunter Biden watched his father’s widely criticized debate performance from Los Angeles and, according to the book, responded in disbelief, allegedly saying, “What the f---?” He reportedly told friends he had never seen his father appear so unsteady.

A few days after the debate, Hunter visited Joe Biden at Camp David. During the visit, he told his father, “I love you” and urged him to “get some sleep,” expressing concern for his health and performance.

Reports in the book suggest Hunter believed the presidency was overwhelming his father's personal life. He reportedly considered advising him to exit the race, seeing the position as having consumed all of his father's energy and time.

Hunter's words offer emotional insights

In private moments, Hunter expressed heartfelt sentiment to the president, reportedly saying, “I sure would love having you back.”

The excerpt frames this comment as both a personal wish and an emotional indication that Hunter wanted his father to prioritize family and health over politics.

Shortly afterward, Joe Biden officially withdrew from the 2024 race, a pivotal move that reshaped the Democratic Party's strategy against Donald Trump in the general election. His decision followed weeks of party anxiety and public scrutiny about his fitness for office.

According to the book, while family discussions were part of Biden’s decision-making, political pressure and public reaction from the June debate played a significant role in ending his campaign.

Unexpected voice joins White House meeting

On July 1, 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that presidents have significant immunity for official actions but not for private actions. The decision prompted immediate conversations inside the White House about how the president should respond publicly.

A strategy call organized by Chief of Staff Jeff Zients gathered top aides to discuss the administration’s next move. During the virtual meeting, an unidentified voice surprised the group by suggesting an Oval Office address, the book's authors explain.

The voice was soon identified as Hunter Biden, who had joined the secure call without staff knowledge. Some aides were confused and caught off guard by his unplanned participation in the internal strategy session.

Participation in call spurs internal debate

White House Counsel Ed Siskel later told colleagues that Hunter’s presence on the call was inappropriate. His involvement, though unofficial, sparked internal questions about protocol, access, and who was influencing key decisions.

Hunter defended his suggestion, arguing that delivering remarks from the Oval Office carried powerful visual weight. According to the book, he believed the setting would help his father project authority in response to the Court’s ruling.

The book does not indicate whether the White House adopted that suggestion, but Hunter’s presence in the meeting underscored his growing involvement at a critical political moment.

The revelations offer a closer look into the personal and political factors behind Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the race.