The Washington Post's attempt to mock Hunter Biden's artistic aspirations with a full-page op-ed featuring parody paintings inspired by his many ethical controversies backfired when critics slammed the newspaper for failing to take those controversies seriously in its past coverage.
The op-ed by Meghan Kruger was published Monday under the headline Sneak Preview! Paintings from the Hunter Biden Art Show - making light of the real art show the president's son will be featured in at a Manhattan gallery.
Earlier this month it was revealed that the White House helped carve out a deal under which Hunter could sell his paintings for up to $500,000 without disclosing the identity of the buyers - thereby ensuring that they would not win presidential favors.
However, ethics experts raised alarm about the plan amid questions over how the administration and Hunter's lawyers will stop individual buyers from reaching out to him and potentially seeking influence through purchases.
The Post seized on the alarm in its parody op-ed, in which it drew from the other shady business dealings that have dogged Hunter ever since his father Joe launched his presidential campaign.
Editor Glen Kessler shared the piece on his Twitter account - where it was swiftly called out by critics who reminded of the Post's history of downplaying allegations surrounding Hunter.
The first of five artworks was titled From the Heart and includes a framed photo reading 'I Heart Burisma'.
The op-ed by Meghan Kruger was published Monday under the headline Sneak Preview! Paintings from the Hunter Biden Art Show - making light of the real art show the president's son will be featured in at a Manhattan gallery
The first fictitious work featured in the article (above) refers to Biden's involvement with Ukrainian gas firm Burisma Holdings in 2019 and his alleged relationship with DC consultancy firm Blue Star Strategies
It refers to Biden's involvement with Ukrainian gas firm Burisma Holdings in 2019, which was caused outrage on Capitol Hill due to his alleged relationship with DC consultancy firm Blue Star Strategies.
Blue Star was dragged into the political firestorm around Hunter's involvement with Burisma when it emerged that the company hired the Washington, DC lobbying shop to improve the image of its owner, Mykola Zlochevsky, who has been accused of corruption in Ukraine and investigated by British authorities. The US Department of Justice also launched an investigation into the incident.
During her testimony, Karen Tramontano, Blue Star Strategies co-founder and CEO, said Hunter did not direct any of her firm's work for Burisma, claimed that at first she did not know Hunter Biden was on its board, and that she did not intend to influence US policy through her meetings with US officials.
However email communications, obtained exclusively by DailyMail.com last month from Biden's abandoned laptop, revealed he was intimately involved with Blue Star's hiring by Burisma.
The second piece of artwork featured in the Washington Post piece is titled The Treachery of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
The second piece of artwork featured in the piece (above) comments on the allegations that Biden asked for money from China and suggests that in return he could help bend his father's foreign policy in the country's favor
It includes a framed sketch of a 100 Chinese Yuan banknote and is captioned 'ceci n'est pas une bribe' which means 'this is not a bribe' in French.
The work comments on the allegations that Biden asked for money from China and suggests that in return he could help bend his father's foreign policy in the country's favor.
Biden accompanied his father on a trip to China in 2013 where the vice president met with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The trip faced scrutiny after the younger Biden ended up inking a deal for his hedge fund with the Bank of China within ten days of the visit.
The third piece of art in the gallery, titled Federal Income Tax Return, is a mixed media piece showcasing Biden's 'response to the challenge posed by IRS Form 1040'.
The third piece of art (above) showcases Biden's 'response to the challenge posed by IRS Form 1040.' This piece is commenting on the federal probe into his finances and stems from his work in China and Ukraine
This piece is commenting on the federal probe into Biden's taxes which began in 2018. The Justice Department is investigating Biden's finances and stems from his work in China and Ukraine. Investigators have scrutinized some of his Chinese business dealings, as well as other transactions.
Biden, who says he is fully cooperating with the probe, asserts his innocence and denies allegations that he gave his father any money from his foreign dealings.
Biden was on the board Burisma while his father was vice president. During that time Joe urged the Ukrainian government to fire a prosecutor, which some allege was done to benefit Burisma.
The fourth piece is a titled The Art Buyer as Seen From the White House Ethics Office and parodies Rene Magritte's 1946 painting titled The Son of Man.
The fourth piece is a titled The Art Buyer as Seen From the White House Ethics Office (left) and parodies Rene Magritte's 1946 painting titled The Son of Man (right). It comments on Biden's newly pursued art career and the role that President Joe Biden's Administration played in brokering arrangements for the sale of his paintings
Magritte's piece, a self-portrait, featured a man wearing an overcoat and bowler hat standing by the sea in front of a break wall. His face is obstructed by a green apple.
In the parody piece, the painting's subject, suggested to be Biden, is in the same environment. But, instead of an overcoat, Biden is wearing a shirt that read 'lobbyist' which was then crossed out and replaced with the words 'fine art collector.'
This piece is likely commenting on Biden's newly pursued art career and the role that President Joe Biden's Administration played in brokering arrangements for the sale of his paintings.
Earlier this month, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki confirmed the White House helped set up a deal for buyers' identities to remain hidden to ensure they did not win presidential favors.
'I think it would be challenging for an anonymous person, who we don't know and Hunter Biden doesn't know, to have influence,' she said during a press briefing.
'Of course he has the right to pursue an artistic career just like any child of a president has the right to pursue a career, but all interactions regarding the selling of art and the setting of prices will be handled by a professional gallerist, adhering to the highest industry standards, and any offer out of the normal course would be rejected out of hand,' Psaki added.
'And the gallerist will not share information about buyers or prospective buyers, including their identities with Hunter Biden or the administration, which provides quite a level of protection and transparency.'
While the idea behind the plan was to avoid a situation where Biden might be in the position to provide favors to buyers, critics say it still offers an opportunity for unidentified individuals to shovel large sums to the president's son as he battles high living costs and legal fees.
The final fictitious work of art included in piece (seen above) suggests that Biden would not even have an art gallery if he wasn't the president's son
The final fictitious work of art included an empty frame titled Painters Who Would Appear in This Gallery if Not Named Biden, indicating that Biden would not even have an art gallery if he wasn't the president's son.
Biden's New York art show is set for this fall. His works are expected to be listed for prices ranging from $75,000 to as high as $500,000.
Art dealers have already noted that Biden is likely profiting off his father's name given the staggering price of his artwork, with one saying his art would more likely sell for as much as $100,000 if he wasn't a Biden.
Washington Post editor Glen Kessler shared the piece on his Twitter account on Monday with a tweet reading, 'Wash Post op-ed page pulls no punches with biting and funny 'exhibition' of Hunter Biden's art via Meghan Kruger.'
Washington Post editor Glen Kessler shared the piece on his Twitter account (tweet pictured above)
However, Kessler faced backlash from users who argued it took the outlet too long to expose Biden's alleged misdoings.
'You’re a bit late?' one wrote.
'About time!!' added another.
These comments come just months after Kessler mocked investigations and media references about the ongoing scandals surrounding Biden.
In December, Kessler tweeted out an New York Post article accusing then President Donald Trump on 'cheering for an undemocratic coup.'
'In his final weeks of campaigning, Trump repeatedly praised the NY Post for publishing the laptop stuff —> Give it up, Mr. President — for your sake and the nation's,' Kessler wrote in the tweet.
Now, he is being called out for his alleged change of opinion.
Now, he's facing backlash from users who argued it took the newspaper too long to expose Biden's alleged misdoings
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