Valerie Biden Owens defends Hunter as blameless victim, blames Trump's 'right-wing followers'

President Biden’s younger sister Valerie Biden Owens defended her nephew Hunter Biden as a victim of conservative attacks amid controversy around his notorious laptop and allegations of financial misconduct. 

"No," Owens told USA Today when asked if her nephew bears some responsibility for the controversies.

"Hunter walked through hell. He didn't wake up and say, 'Aunt Val, I think I'm going to be an addict. And so whatever happens, it's my responsibility.'" She instead praised him for having "courage" and "strength" to fight his addictions to crack cocaine and alcohol. 

The president’s younger sister kicked off a book tour last Thursday ahead of the drop of her new memoir, "Growing Up Biden: A Memoir." Owens has served as the president’s longtime political confidante, working as his campaign manager for all seven of his Senate campaigns and advising her brother during all three of his presidential campaigns.

Hunter Biden has kept a low-profile in recent weeks as Republicans on Capitol Hill push to investigate his overseas financial ties. The financial dealings have been highly publicized since the New York Post dropped a bombshell report on the contents of a laptop he left at a Delaware repair shop ahead of the 2020 presidential election.