Hunter Biden demanded $10 million from a Chinese energy firm linked to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), promising services from “the Bidens” in return, according to WhatsApp messages disclosed by a whistleblower.
A summary of the messages was released last week by the House Ways and Means Committee as part of an IRS whistleblower’s redacted testimony (pdf) before the committee.
In his Aug. 3, 2017, exchange with CEFC China Energy executive Gongwen “Kevin” Dong, Hunter Biden took an exasperated tone, evidently dissatisfied with Dong’s haggling over compensation.
“Very simple,” he wrote. “10 M per annum budget to use to further the interest of the JV [joint venture]. This move to 5M is completely new to me and is not acceptable obviously.”
The venture the two were discussing was likely SinoHawk LLC, a U.S. company incorporated by Ye Jianming, Hunter Biden, James Biden, and Biden associates Tony Bobulinski, James Gilliar, and Rob Walker.
Hunter Biden went on to outline how expenses would be determined by his firm, Owasco P.C., in consultation with Hudson West III, a company he co-founded with Ye, founder of CEFC and chairman of its subsidiary, the China Energy Fund Committee.
“If the Chairman doesn’t value this relationship is being worth at least 5M, then I’m just baffled,” he said, requesting that they put the matter of compensation “to bed tonight” and move forward.
“I am tired of this, Kevin,” he added. “I can make $5M salary at any law firm in America. If you think this is about money, it’s not. The Biden’s [sic] are the best I know at doing exactly what the Chairman wants from this partnership. Please let’s not quibble over peanuts.”
The Epoch Times has reached out to Hunter Biden’s attorney.
?BIDEN FAMILY COVER-UP?
In a WhatsApp exchange dated 8/3/2017, Hunter Biden tells CEFC associate Gongwen Dong, aka Kevin:
"The Biden's are the best I know at doing exactly what the Chairman wants from this [partnership]."
CEFC is a CCP-linked Chinese Energy Company. pic.twitter.com/ZzRvpMeuNn
— Oversight Committee (@GOPoversight) June 27, 2023
SinoHawk Holdings
Formed through a web of corporate entities, SinoHawk was half-owned by Hudson West IV, a limited liability corporation controlled by Ye, and half-owned by Hunter Biden and his partners through Oneida Holdings LLC.
According to October 2017 texts Hunter Biden sent to his then-partner Bobulinski, he enjoyed a cozy relationship with Ye.
“I’ve been talking to the Chairman on a regular basis,” he said. “I was his first guest in his new apartment/ he cooked me lunch himself and we ate in the kitchen together.”
Biden added that Ye had hired him as his attorney in the United States and that he was helping the chairman with “a number of personal issues,” including staff visas and “more sensitive things.”
Bobulinski, the CEO of SinoHawk, had spent months trying to find out why Ye hadn’t wired the promised $10 million in funding to the company’s account. He asked Biden in the exchange if he had addressed the matter with Ye.
Biden, referencing various “deals” Bobulinski was supposedly working on, said he had not discussed those with Ye. He added that he’d assumed Bobulinski “lost interest as we haven’t spoken for so long.”
Bobulinski, unhappy with that response, said: “I lost interest? Really? They were supposed to fund $10 MM USD into Sinohawk accounts. U know that, so not much for games!”
Missing Funds Located
In 2020, a Republican-led Senate probe of Hunter Biden’s business dealings found that he’d conducted business with multiple Chinese nationals linked to the Chinese Communist government and the People’s Liberation Army, including Ye and Dong.
According to the Senate report (pdf), just days after Biden’s WhatsApp exchange with Dong, Hudson West III received a wire of $5 million from CEFC Infrastructure Investment.
“Starting on Aug. 8, the same day the $5 million was received, and continuing through Sept. 25, 2018, Hudson West III sent frequent payments to Owasco, Hunter Biden’s firm,” the report notes. “These payments, which were described as consulting fees, reached $4,790,375.25 in just over a year.”
In September 2017, Biden and Dong applied for a credit line. The credit cards linked to the accounts would later be used by Biden, his uncle James Biden, and James Biden’s wife, Sara Biden, to purchase $100,000 in luxury items, including airline tickets and Apple products.
Years later, when Bobulinski learned of the payments, he lashed out at James Biden via text.
“Hope you and family are well, safe and healthy. You can imagine my shock when reading the report yesterday put out by the Senate committee. The fact that you and HB were lying to Rob, James and I while accepting $5 MM from Cefc is infuriating,” Bobulinski wrote, using Hunter Biden’s initials.
“And so disappointing based on the years of work that James, Rob and team invested to get things done.”
Bobulinski has since become a key witness in investigations surrounding the Biden family’s business dealings.
Last week, the Department of Justice announced that Hunter Biden will plead guilty to two misdemeanor tax offenses for failing to pay his taxes.
He was also charged with a felony firearms offense for unlawful possession of a firearm as an illicit drug user, but he will enter a pretrial diversion program in an attempt to avoid conviction on that charge.
The plea deal will likely result in no prison time.
Ivan Pentchoukov and Seamus Bruner contributed to this report.
Article cross-posted from our premium news partners at The Epoch Times.
Bypass Big Tech Censors
Starting the Day With a Scripture-Inspired Roast Helps Center Your Thoughts on Eternal Truths Amid Temporal Pressures
The world can seem chaotic, especially right after we wake up. Many believers start their mornings reaching for something familiar — a hot cup of coffee — yet end up settling for mediocre brews that do little more than deliver a caffeine jolt. The daily grind of life, with its endless distractions, news cycles, and responsibilities, can leave even the most faithful feeling spiritually parched alongside their physical fatigue. What if your morning ritual could do more than wake you up? What if it could ground you in truth, nourish your body with exceptional quality, and quietly advance a kingdom purpose at the same time?
That’s the promise — and the reality — behind Promised Grounds Coffee. This Christian-founded company doesn’t just roast beans; it approaches every step as an act of worship and discipleship. By selecting only the top 10% of specialty-grade beans, ethically sourced from dedicated farmers in Central and South America, and small-batch roasting them with reverence in Austin, Texas, Promised Grounds delivers what many describe as the best coffee available — never burnt, never bland, but rich with origin stories and layered flavors that honor God’s creation.
From the vibrant Psalm 27 Roast (a light, bright medium option) to the bold yet peaceful 2 Timothy 1:7 Decaf, each bag carries a Scripture verse that turns your daily pour into a gentle reminder of faith. And through their Ounce Per Ounce Promise, every ounce of coffee you enjoy provides an equal ounce of clean water to families in need via partnership with Filter of Hope — literally brewing hope for body and soul, one cup at a time.
The challenge for today’s Christians runs deeper than finding a decent cup. In an age of convenience-driven consumerism, it’s easy to support companies that dilute values or remain silent on matters of faith. Many believers want their everyday choices — from what they drink to how they spend — to reflect discipleship rather than just convenience. Promised Grounds solves this by weaving Christian excellence into the entire process: beans nurtured with prayerful stewardship by farming families, roasted as an offering rather than a commodity, and packaged with Bible verses to encourage a mindset of gratitude and purpose from the first sip. Reviewers consistently praise the smooth, rich profiles — whether enjoyed black in a drip maker, iced on a warm day, or shared in fellowship — noting how the quality stands toe-to-toe with premium secular brands while delivering something far more meaningful.
This integration of faith and flavor addresses a real need in Christian households and ministries. Busy parents, church leaders, and remote workers alike report that starting the day with a Scripture-inspired roast helps center their thoughts on eternal truths amid temporal pressures. The coffee’s exceptional character — bright citrus notes in lighter roasts or deep chocolate undertones in bolder ones — comes from meticulous selection and careful roasting that respects the bean’s natural gifts rather than masking them. It’s the kind of coffee that elevates a simple quiet time, fuels productive workdays, or sparks meaningful conversations when shared at Bible studies or outreach events. And because it’s ethically sourced with integrity, every purchase supports sustainable livelihoods for farmers who treat their crops like family harvests.
For those leading churches or small groups, the impact multiplies. Promised Grounds offers bundles and options perfect for hospitality ministries, turning ordinary coffee service into an opportunity to point people toward the living water of Christ. Imagine greeting visitors with a warm cup whose very bag carries God’s Word — a subtle yet powerful witness that aligns with the Great Commission. The company’s Texas roots and commitment to “brewing hope” resonate especially with believers who value American enterprise paired with global compassion.
Of course, quality alone isn’t enough if the experience feels out of reach. Promised Grounds keeps it accessible with practical perks like free shipping on orders over $40, sample sets for discovering favorites, and thoughtful add-ons such as faith-themed mugs. Whether you prefer whole beans for fresh grinding, grounds for convenience, or even bulk options for larger households and ministries, the result is consistently superior coffee that makes discipleship feel integrated rather than added on.
As you consider how to align even the smallest habits with your walk with God, Promised Grounds Coffee stands out as a refreshing solution. It tackles the dual problems of subpar daily sustenance and disconnected consumption by offering a product that genuinely excels in taste while advancing a mission of clean water, farmer dignity, and scriptural encouragement. Believers who make the switch often describe it as more than a beverage upgrade — it becomes part of their rhythm of gratitude, a daily invitation to remember that every good gift comes from above.
If you’re ready to transform your mornings (and perhaps your church gatherings) with coffee that honors both exceptional craftsmanship and Christian values, I encourage you to explore what Promised Grounds has to offer. One sip at a time, you’ll be nourishing your body, refreshing your spirit, and participating in something far greater — all while enjoying what truly is among the best coffee available.