Hunter Biden links Father's Trump Debate Disaster to Ambien

Hunter Biden blames Ambien for President Biden's poor performance in the first presidential debate against Donald Trump. He claims his father was taking the prescription sleeping pill before the debate, contributing to his stumbling and meandering answers. This is the first time anyone close to Biden has mentioned Ambien in connection with the debate. The remarks may fuel a Republican-led House Oversight Committee investigation into Biden's mental acuity during his presidency.

Hunter Biden has attributed his father's poor performance in the 2024 presidential debate against Donald Trump to the use of Ambien, a prescription sleeping pill. In a new interview, Hunter Biden claimed that his father was taking Ambien before the debate, which he said contributed to his stumbling and meandering answers [1][2].

This is the first time anyone close to Biden has mentioned Ambien in connection with the debate. Hunter Biden, the son of former President Joe Biden, made the claim in an interview with YouTuber Andrew Callaghan, which was released on the anniversary of Biden's exit from the race [1][2].

The interview also provided insights into the intense pressure and travel schedule that Joe Biden faced leading up to the debate. Hunter Biden noted that his father's intensive travel schedule and age—81 years old at the time—made it challenging for him to perform at his best [1][2].

The use of Ambien has raised questions about Joe Biden's mental and physical fitness during his presidency. The drug has an increased risk of side effects like drowsiness among patients older than 70, whose bodies process the drug more slowly [1][2]. A memo released by Biden's physician Dr. Kevin O’Connor on Feb. 28, 2024, did not mention Ambien among the medications Biden was taking [1][2].

The debate marked a turning point for Biden's re-election campaign. His performance led to a Democratic rebellion, forcing him to step aside in favor of then-Vice President Kamala Harris as the party's presidential nominee [2].

The remarks by Hunter Biden may fuel a Republican-led House Oversight Committee investigation into Biden's mental acuity during his presidency. Rep. James Comer, chair of the committee, has been critical of Biden's aides' refusal to answer questions about his health and the use of an autopen [3].

References:
[1] https://www.forbes.com/sites/saradorn/2025/07/21/hunter-biden-blames-joe-bidens-poor-debate-performance-on-ambien/
[2] https://nypost.com/2025/07/21/us-news/hunter-biden-says-dad-joe-was-on-ambien-during-disastrous-2024-debate-with-trump/
[3] https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/07/18/republican-biden-aide-autopen-investigation-health/85278332007/