Last month, President Trump granted a pardon to Zhao Changpeng, the billionaire behind cryptocurrency platform Binance, who admitted to money laundering in 2023. This move came after Zhao’s company reached a business agreement with the Trump family’s cryptocurrency venture, World Liberty Financial, back in May. However, during a recent appearance on CBS’s “60 Minutes,” Trump was asked why he chose to pardon Zhao, given serious allegations about Zhao’s actions affecting U.S. national security.
Norah O’Donnell questioned Trump, saying, “The government at the time essentially said that CZ caused significant damage to U.S. national security by allowing terrorist groups like Hamas to move millions of dollars. Why did they pardon him?”
Trump responded, “OK, are you ready? I don’t know who he is. I know he was sentenced to four months in prison or something like that, but I hear it was a Biden witch hunt.”
This raised eyebrows, especially since he had just pardoned Zhao.
The New York Times reported that Zhao had enlisted lawyers and lobbyists connected to Trump while pursuing his pardon. Binance reportedly secured a lucrative agreement with Trump’s cryptocurrency company, potentially worth millions annually. When O’Donnell probed about this deal, Trump seemed unaware, stating, “Well, here’s the thing. I don’t know anything about it because I’m busy doing other things. That’s all I can say. No, that’s all I can say. Well, my sons are into it, and I’m glad they are, because cryptocurrencies are probably a great industry. I think it’s good.”
There are two interpretations of his answer. Option one: he’s being dishonest, especially since Zhao’s contract benefits his family. Option two: he genuinely approved a presidential pardon without knowing who it was for. Either possibility raises unsettling questions about leadership.
If the president can’t recall or doesn’t bother to learn about who he pardons, what does that signify for accountability? Trump has been outspoken about President Biden, claiming he is incapable of making decisions regarding pardons, even implying he uses an autopen machine.
In his “60 Minutes” interview, Trump stated, “Biden had no clue. You know, he illegally used a machine called an autopen to give people pardons.”
To be clear: it would be alarming if Biden didn’t know whom he was pardoning, yet it appears acceptable for Trump to claim ignorance. At some point, the excuse of “I don’t know him” should not serve as an effective political strategy. Denial cannot be the go-to response.
