Hunter Biden joked about serving as the running mate for California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) in the 2028 presidential election [2].

The comments highlight the continued public profile of the president's son and his willingness to engage in high-level political speculation. While the remarks were framed as a joke, they have sparked media debate regarding the future of the Democratic Party's leadership and potential candidates for the next election cycle.

Biden appeared on a podcast hosted by Newsom in June 2026 [1]. During the conversation, he referenced the possibility of a joint ticket for the 2028 election [2]. Some reports characterized the comments as a serious tease of a new political role [3], while other sources said that Biden was only joking and was not seriously considering the prospect [1].

Beyond the speculation regarding 2028, Biden used the platform to offer a defense of Graham Platner, a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate in Maine [2]. Platner has faced significant public criticism and controversy involving allegations of a sexting scandal, and questions regarding a Nazi tattoo [2].

Biden drew comparisons between his own public struggles and those of Platner during the discussion [2]. He said that the candidate deserved support despite the controversies surrounding his campaign. The defense comes as Platner continues to navigate the political fallout from the allegations in Maine [2].

Newsom's podcast has become a venue for discussing both policy and the personal trajectories of prominent Democratic figures. The appearance of Hunter Biden on the program underscores the intersection of personal brand and political strategy within the party as it looks toward future cycles [1].

“Hunter Biden joked about being Gavin Newsom's running mate in the 2028 presidential election.”

The interaction suggests a strategic alignment between Hunter Biden and Governor Newsom, using a casual media format to test public reactions to potential future political alignments. By defending Graham Platner, Biden is also attempting to frame personal controversy as a hurdle that can be overcome, potentially mirroring his own public narrative to provide political cover for other Democratic candidates.