A memoir by President Joe Biden’s sister, Valerie, seems to violate White House ethics policy against commercializing the administration.
“It’s the White House’s policy that the President’s name should not be used in connection with any commercial activities to suggest or in any way – in any way they could reasonably be understood to imply his endorsement or support,” White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said in January 2021.
The memoir of Valerie Biden Owens is scheduled to be released Tuesday. Her publicity blitz began last Thursday and includes book signings and interviews, such as one published Sunday by “USA Today”. Her book cover displays a childhood photo of her, President Biden, their two brothers and their mother.
In 2021, Biden and Harris transition team ethics lawyers told the vice-president’s niece, Meena, she could no longer market clothing or new books with her Kamala Harris’ name or likeness, according to a “Los Angeles Times” report last year.
Ms. Owens has a long political connection with the president, serving as an advisor for all seven Senate campaigns beginning with his 1972 victory. She national campaign chair during his two failed presidential campaigns and was involved with his 2020 campaign.
“We have been best friends our entire life,” the president’s sister said in her interview.
Owens reportedly shrugged off suggestions that the Biden family faces tougher times to come, according to a Fox News report. She defended her nephew Hunter Biden, saying he is a victim of conservative attacks amid controversy around his purported laptop and financial misconduct allegations.
“I don’t know what could be worse than Beau’s dying of glioblastoma when he was 46 years old,” she said “I don’t know what could be worse than watching Hunter walk through hell. You never say the worst is over, but whatever comes, we can handle it as a family.”
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