About a decade ago, two dancers met Hunter Biden for a lap dance in a private room where he played Fleet Foxes on his phone. Fast forward to today, this same man has amassed over 800,000 followers on social media, sharing intimate insights and inspiring recovery stories.

Biden is now a full-time painter, spending long hours in his Malibu garage studio, where he creates maximalist compositions of animals, nature, and symbols. His latest self-reveal on X has sparked a new wave of admiration from fans who previously mocked him for his reputation as a 'black sheep' of the Democratic Party.

“I hate to talk about myself,” Biden tells WIRED, “but I’m not running for office or trying to be the most popular person on Twitter. My goal is to help other addicts.” His tweets and posts have been a source of inspiration to those struggling with addiction, who see him as a symbol of hope.

Despite the controversies that once surrounded him, including revenge porn and conspiracy theories, Biden has managed to transform his image in less than a month. He has given lengthy interviews to independent media outlets, even speaking to former foes like Candace Owens. His newfound popularity seems to stem from the raw honesty of his posts and his dedication to recovery.

With the world still recovering from the Palisades fire that decimated parts of Los Angeles, Biden’s house in the area somehow survived unscathed. Now, he is back on the East Coast, where he continues to navigate the ever-changing landscape of social media fame with grace and resilience.