Hunter Biden, the first son, made a personal appearance in an Arkansas court on Monday for the ongoing paternity suit involving his former partner, Lunden Roberts.
The 53-year-old son of President Biden has been embroiled in a legal battle to reduce child support payments for his 4-year-old daughter, the result of a brief affair with Roberts, a former exotic dancer. A significant law enforcement presence was observed in the parking lot of Independence County Court as Hunter, dressed in a dark suit and tie, entered the courthouse through a back entrance shortly before the 9 a.m. hearing commenced.
Roberts, 32, arrived around 45 minutes earlier, wearing a blue suit and sunglasses as she entered through the front door.
The case dates back to 2019 when Roberts filed a paternity suit in Arkansas Circuit Court after Hunter denied being the father of their daughter, Navy Joan. A subsequent DNA test confirmed Hunter's paternity, and he agreed to begin paying monthly child support to Roberts. Hunter has not met his daughter nor publicly acknowledged her existence.
In September last year, the paternity case was reopened when Hunter petitioned the court to recalculate the monthly payments, citing an alleged "substantial material change" in his financial situation. In response, Roberts demanded proof of Hunter's financial records, including details about his art sales, properties, and tax issues.
Roberts' legal team dismissed Hunter's claims of financial hardship, stating in court documents that President Biden's son is "living lavishly" and has hired $850-per-hour attorneys to support his case.
"Mr. Biden claims to be nothing more than a Yale-educated attorney/artist who is somewhat financially destitute and needs his child support adjusted," wrote Clinton Lancaster, Roberts' attorney, in a 12-page motion. "However, for an artist living on meager means, Mr. Biden is living lavishly."
The attorney further noted, "He travels the world on the safest and most comfortable airplane in existence — Air Force One."