Trump says he knows “nothing” about the cryptocurrency billionaire he pardoned
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said Sunday that he knew nothing about Changping Zhao, the billionaire cryptocurrency exchange founder with close ties to the Trump family’s cryptocurrency empire — even though he pardoned him last month.
“I don’t know who he isTrump said in response to a question on CBS’ 60 Minutes about the reason for his pardon.
Trump added: “I can only tell you this. My kids are concerned about it.” “I’m glad they are, because it’s probably a great industry, cryptocurrencies. I think it’s good.”
“I don’t know anything about the guy,” Trump said again when pressed.
He claimed that Chow, also known as “CZ,” was the victim of the Justice Department’s “weaponization,” without providing further details. At the time of reaching the plea agreement, federal prosecutors said Chow had caused “substantial harm to U.S. national security.”
Trump’s admission that he knew very little about one of the pardon recipients comes as the president and his Republican allies continue to attack former President Joe Biden, claiming he was unaware of many of his official acts as president — including the pardon — because his staff used an automated signature.
“I guarantee you He knew nothing about what he was signing“I guarantee you that,” Trump said in July.
The Republican-led House Oversight Committee last month called some of Biden’s executive actions, including the pardons, “illegitimate.” On his way out of office, Biden issued a number of preemptive pardons to prominent Democrats and members of his family.
Biden called the Republicans’ claims “ridiculous and false.” Previous presidents, including Trump, have sometimes used an automated signature; Trump emphasized that it was nothing important.
The White House did not respond to a request for comment.
Zhao, who founded cryptocurrency exchange Binance, He was sentenced to four months in prison As part of a 2023 deal with the Justice Department that required him to plead guilty to helping enable money laundering at his exchange, which also has a business relationship with World Liberty Financial. This company was co-founded by the president’s sons Eric and Donald Trump Jr., and has managed several cryptocurrency projects linked to the president’s family.
As part of the deal, Binance was ordered to pay $4 billion in fines, while Zhao personally paid $50 million in fines and issued an apology. He still maintains a large stake in the stock exchange.
World Liberty Financial’s flagship cryptocurrency operates on the exchange operated by Binance, The Wall Street Journal reported earlier.
Trump was asked during a “60 Minutes” interview about a potential conflict of interest by pardoning someone who has a direct working relationship with his family. He replied that he knew nothing about this case.
“Well, here’s the thing, I don’t know anything about it because I’m too busy doing the other one,” Trump replied, before being interrupted and pressed further.
Because of the sweeping nature of the financial crimes and direct entanglements with the Trump family, the pardon quickly received opposition, including from some Republicans. Outgoing Sen. Thom Tillis, Republican of North Carolina, at the time called it “Bad signal.“
A Biden spokesman declined to comment on Trump’s recent comments, but pointed NBC News to a social media post by Biden’s former spokesman, Andrew Bates, who asked a question that Republicans have increasingly asked during Biden’s tenure.
“Who runs the White House?” he to publish In direct response to the story of Trump claiming that he did not know who Chao was.
On Monday morning, House Speaker Mike Johnson, who has been among Biden’s critics, brushed aside questions about Trump’s acceptance of the pardon.
“I don’t know anything about thatHe told reporters.