Featured Image Credit: Samuel Corum / Stringer via Getty
US President Donald Trump has made it no secret that he's willing to hand out political pardons like candy on Halloween, but one of his most recent has left people in disbelief after the 'real reason' behind the decision was revealed.
Over 1,600 pardons have been authorized by Donald Trump so far this year as part of his second term as president, and that adds on to the existing 237 individuals he granted executive clemency between 2017 and 2021.
Notably part of these pardons so far are over 1,500 participants in the January 6 riots, one black market trader, and even famous figures like Todd and Julie Chrisley, who were convinced in 2022 on financial and fraud-related charges.
Changpeng Zhao, otherwise known simply as 'CZ', is one of the most recent recipients of a Trump pardon having been granted executive clemency in October, yet the reason given for this decision from the president is one that you won't expect.
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Zhao was given a prison sentence of four months in April 2024, having been convicted of violating the Bank Secrecy Act and the International Emergency Economic Powers Act for the role his company Binance played in allowing terrorist organizations and suspected criminals to engage in money laundering activities.
Binance has also since invested heavily in the Trump family's World Liberty Financial, which aims to establish a regulated form of cryptocurrency known as a 'stablecoin'.
During an interview with 60 Minutes, President Trump was asked why he made the decision to pardon Changpeng Zhao, specifically in reference to certain individuals engaging in 'pay for play' with the current administration.
"OK, are you ready, I don't know who he is," Trump exclaimed, leaving many in disbelief. "I know he got a four month sentence or something like that," he continued, "and I heard it was a Biden witch hunt."
Trump when asked why he pardoned Binance’s Changpeng Zhao
— Exec Sum (@exec_sum) November 3, 2025
“Okay, are you ready… I don’t know who he is”
pic.twitter.com/ICUXf2tFg2
President Trump also added that he knows "nothing about it" when it comes to Zhao's dealing's with World Liberty Financial, arguing that he's "too busy doing the other things," despite authorizing the pardon in the first place.
"I can only tell you this," the president added. "My sons are into it, I'm glad they are, because it's probably a great industry, crypto, I think it's good, you know they're running a business, they're not in government."
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also claimed that Zhao was "prosecuted by the Biden Administration in their war on cryptocurrency," further explaining that the pardon was made because "these actions by the Biden Administration severely damaged the United States' reputation as a global leader in technology and innovation."
Zhao himself thanked President Trump, posting on his X account that he was "deeply grateful for today's pardon and to President Trump for upholding America's commitment to fairness, innovation, and justice."
