At a glance:
- Venture capitalist Shaun Maguire alleges Hunter Biden owes over $300,000 in unpaid rent and attempted to settle the debt with artwork.
- The dispute centers on Hunter’s time renting a $25,000-a-month Venice Beach property owned by Sweetgreen CEO Jonathan Neman.
- Maguire criticized President Biden’s recent pardon of Hunter, raising questions about the legal implications of the unpaid rent.
Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, faces fresh allegations of unpaid rent totaling more than $300,000 from his time as a tenant in Venice, California. Venture capitalist Shaun Maguire, a partner at Sequoia Capital, took to social media to accuse Hunter of neglecting rent payments and attempting to settle the debt with unconventional artwork allegedly made from feces.
The revelations come as President Biden’s controversial full pardon of Hunter, covering federal offenses from 2014 to 2024, continues to draw criticism. Maguire’s allegations have sparked outrage, with some questioning the broader implications of Hunter’s personal and financial dealings.
Unpaid Rent and Alleged “Poop Art”
On December 1, Maguire accused Hunter of failing to pay over $300,000 in rent for a Venice Beach property he occupied between 2019 and 2020. The monthly rent for the luxurious canal-front home was $25,000.
Maguire posted on X (formerly Twitter): “So what happens to the $300k+ in back pay rent that Hunter Biden owes my family from 2019-2020? Is that pardoned now? Thanks Joe (This is a true story).”
In a follow-up post, Maguire made the startling claim that Hunter attempted to resolve the debt with feces-based artwork: “Yup. True story. Hunter was our tenant in Venice, CA. Didn’t pay rent for over a year. Tried to pay w/ art made from his own feces. Absolute s**t bag.”
Maguire also alleged that Hunter changed the locks on the property and leveraged Secret Service agents to bar the owners from accessing it. “He changed the locks and used secret service to enforce. We had no access to the property,” Maguire posted.
Adding to the intrigue, Maguire expressed reluctance to pursue legal action against Hunter. “It’s kind of a scary family to go after,” he wrote, hinting at potential backlash or intimidation.
Damages and Disrepair
Separate reports from the Westside Current and Daily Mail suggest that Hunter and his wife, Melissa Cohen, left the Venice rental in poor condition. Damages reportedly included destroyed stereo equipment and unclean interiors, with sources describing the Bidens as “horrible tenants.”
“Melissa was rude and entitled,” one source claimed. “They stiffed the owner for months of rent and were uncooperative when repairs were needed.”
The property, previously owned by Sweetgreen CEO Jonathan Neman, featured high-end amenities such as limestone floors, a private pool, and 25-foot ceilings. Neman reportedly chose not to pursue legal action over the unpaid rent, citing embarrassment.
Presidential Pardon Controversy
Maguire’s allegations follow President Biden’s decision to issue a full and unconditional pardon for Hunter, covering federal crimes committed between January 1, 2014, and December 1, 2024. The pardon encompasses tax offenses and allegations of lying on a firearm background check form but does not extend to civil matters such as unpaid rent.
Critics, including Tesla CEO Elon Musk, weighed in on the controversy. Sharing a Fox News report about the allegations, Musk wrote on X: “Truth is stranger (and funnier) than fiction.”
Hunter’s Time in Venice
Hunter and Melissa Cohen moved into the Grand Canal-area home in early 2021, paying $25,000 per month for the short-term rental. The couple lived there with their infant son, Beau, for six months before relocating to Malibu. During their stay, the property drew significant attention, with Secret Service vehicles frequently parked outside.
This isn’t the first time Hunter has faced scrutiny over his artwork. Despite initially fetching high prices, the value of his pieces reportedly plummeted following President Biden’s decision not to seek reelection.
As public outrage over Hunter’s alleged misconduct grows, the story of the unpaid rent and unconventional debt settlement offers yet another chapter in a series of controversies surrounding the Biden family. Whether or not the allegations lead to legal action, they highlight ongoing questions about accountability and privilege.