Published on: December 3, 2024, at 11:13h.
Last updated on: December 3, 2024, at 11:47h.
Following President Joe Biden’s pardon of his son, Hunter Biden, for all possible offenses between Jan. 1, 2014, and Dec. 1, 2024, political betting exchanges are now speculating on who else might receive a pardon from the president.
According to bettors on Kalshi, Jim Biden, the president’s oldest brother, is now a top contender for a pardon. The likelihood of Jim Biden receiving a pardon has surged on Kalshi, especially after Biden’s decision to pardon Hunter, despite his initial promise to uphold the rule of law and the US Justice Department.
Bettors are giving Jim Biden a 33% chance of getting a Biden pardon, up by 13 points in just 24 hours. Many believe that the 75-year-old could face scrutiny under a Department of Justice led by President-elect Donald Trump, as Republicans claim he has been involved in questionable business activities and often relied on his brother’s influence for personal gain.
Hunter’s pardon arrives shortly before his scheduled sentencing for gun and tax convictions.
Laptop Continues to Attract Attention
The notorious laptop belonging to Hunter Biden that came into the possession of the Justice Department in 2019 has revealed a close relationship between Hunter and his uncle.
One email between the two read, “Hunter, we are cut from the same cloth. You are a fine and gentle person. Believe it or not, I know you. Sounds corny, but we both deserve to enjoy the moment. Concentrate on the good in our lives and try to step out of all the bulls*** you deal with on a minute-to-minute basis.”
At the time, the Bidens were collaborating on deals in China and other foreign ventures for their US-based investments. Some GOP members allege that Jim Biden used his family name to secure risky loans that he never fully repaid. His business dealings have spanned various sectors including hospitals, insurance companies, and nightclubs.
A 2022 profile in The Washington Post labeled Jim Biden as a “political wild card.”
Potential Pardon for Fauci?
Dr. Anthony Fauci is another popular bet for a pardon on platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket, with bettors speculating that he could be targeted by Trump-era prosecutors for his role in the US COVID-19 response.
Some Republicans accuse Fauci of misleading Congress about US government funding for research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology and spreading misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines. His chances of receiving immunity from President Biden stand at 14% on Polymarket, up by 2% in the past 24 hours.
In a less likely scenario, Polymarket is offering odds on the possibility of Diddy receiving a pardon from the president. Diddy, a Democrat and party donor, faces charges of racketeering and sex trafficking. The odds of Diddy being pardoned are currently at 2%.