The elephants in Hunter’s laptop by Timothy Davies

There’s a peculiar phenomenon in American politics; no, not the rising of conspiracy theories as mainstream talking points, or even the fact that facts themselves are now up for partisan debate. No, this one is even more Kafkaesque: it’s the Republican Party’s relentless obsession with Hunter Biden's laptop and Ukrainian business dealings, contrasted with a baffling silence when it comes to the crystal-clear corruption of Donald Trump and his family.

Let’s break it down with the absurdist clarity of modern politics.

For years, years indeed, Republicans have poured time, effort, taxpayer money, and their last remaining ounces of credibility into trying to prove that President Joe Biden was somehow embroiled in a grand international corruption scheme through his son Hunter. Ukraine was the golden ticket. Then China. Then... something about a laptop that sounded like it was last seen in a Jason Bourne film.

And what did they find? A tragically troubled man battling addiction, making questionable life decisions, and yes, possibly leveraging his last name to make money in a world where name-dropping is practically a currency. In other words, a personal story as American as Wall Street. But corruption? Collusion? High treason? Not a shred of proof. Not even a wilted leaf of it. Congressional hearings turned into operatic performances, drama with no script and no climax.

And yet, the GOP remains convinced there’s a monster under the bed. They've lifted the mattress, taken apart the frame, called in the exorcists... and still insist the monster is there, just very, very good at hiding. It’s a bit like watching someone tear up their kitchen floorboards looking for Bigfoot, while ignoring the elephant, Trump-sized elephant lounging in their living room, wearing a “Make America Great Again” hat, and helping himself to classified documents.

Now let’s flip the coin.

Donald Trump. The man whose entire administration was a four-year fire sale of presidential decorum, ethical standards, and the Emoluments Clause. From day one, foreign dignitaries were practically queuing at Trump International Hotel in D.C., understanding that paying top dollar for a steak and a suite might earn them a warm seat at the table of U.S. foreign policy.

And then there’s Jared Kushner, the son-in-law turned Middle East whisperer, who magically secured a $2 billion investment from Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund after leaving the White House. For what, exactly? A lifetime of strategic advice from a man whose major business venture prior to his White House role was nearly bankrupting a Manhattan skyscraper? Of course not. This was a thank-you note, in billions. Hand-delivered with a wink.

Don Jr. and Eric Trump weren’t far behind, globe-trotting to seal deals, promote Trump properties, and insert themselves into geopolitical issues they were neither elected nor qualified to handle. It wasn’t subtle. It wasn’t buried in 30,000 emails or locked in encrypted laptop hard drives. It was front-page, in-your-face, neon-lit corruption. And the same Republicans chasing Hunter’s ghost? They suddenly found religion in political aphasia.

Where were the hearings? The outrage? The Fox News segments featuring ominous black-and-white photos of Eric Trump’s golfing trips? Nowhere. Because the truth is simpler than a QAnon meme: it was never about corruption. It was always about distraction.

Distraction from policies that fail working Americans. Distraction from the moral rot infecting the GOP’s core. Distraction from the fact that their modern-day messiah, Trump, did all the things they accuse others of, and worse with a grin, a Sharpie, and an unflinching belief that he is above accountability.

This hypocrisy isn’t just frustrating, it’s dangerous. Because every time truth is treated like an optional accessory, and justice like a partisan cudgel, democracy bleeds a little more.

And Hunter? He’ll be back in the headlines again next week, no doubt. The laptop will rise like Lazarus once more, blinking from some Delaware basement. Because when you can’t win with ideas, empathy, or vision, you deflect with spectacle.

Americans should be tired. Tired of circus politics. Tired of the bad-faith investigations. Tired of watching political elites bend the system while pretending they’re the victims of it.

It’s time to call it what it is: a tale of two families. One accused but unproven, the other proven but unpunished. And an entire political party that sees no problem as long as the corruption wears a red tie and signs its checks in gold ink.

So yes, keep talking about Hunter Biden’s business. But don’t expect us to ignore the billion-dollar deals made in the backrooms of Mar-a-Lago, just because someone’s laptop had some scandalous photos on it.

After all, the elephants aren’t just in the room; in Trump’s second term ...they own it.