In a stunning revelation that has left many scratching their heads, U.S. President Donald Trump claims he has no idea who Changpeng Zhao is, despite having pardoned the cryptocurrency mogul just last month. This eyebrow-raising statement came during a recent interview with CBS News' 60 Minutes, where the president was grilled about his decision to pardon Zhao, also known as "CZ." But here's where it gets controversial: Zhao, the co-founder of Binance—the world's largest crypto exchange—had pleaded guilty to enabling money laundering in 2023, serving four months in prison and stepping down from his CEO role. So, why would Trump pardon someone accused of causing "significant harm to U.S. national security"? And this is the part most people miss: Zhao's companies have partnered with firms tied to Trump, including Dominari Holdings, where Trump's sons sit on the advisory board. When pressed by host Norah O'Donnell, Trump simply shrugged, saying, "I don’t know who he is," and claimed he was told Zhao was a victim of a "witch hunt" by the Biden administration. But is this just a case of political favoritism, or is there more to the story? Trump also doubled down on his support for cryptocurrencies, warning that the U.S. must lead in this space or risk falling behind China. Meanwhile, critics argue the pardon smells of personal financial interests, especially given Trump's history of halting cases against crypto figures like Justin Sun, who invested in the Trump family's crypto firm. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the move, calling Zhao's prosecution part of Biden's "war on cryptocurrency." But does this pardon truly correct a miscarriage of justice, or does it set a dangerous precedent? What do you think? Is Trump's pardon a bold move to protect innovation, or a questionable decision tied to his own interests? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments!
