In a November 2, 2025, interview with CBS’s 60 Minutes, President Donald Trump said of Changpeng Zhao, the Binance founder he had pardoned the previous month: “I don’t know who he is.” The exchange drew attention because the interview also raised reported business ties involving Binance and World Liberty Financial, a crypto venture founded by Trump’s sons and others. Those ties prompted questions about appearances of a conflict, but the available reporting does not establish that the pardon was exchanged for business.
What Trump said about Zhao
Asked by Norah O’Donnell on 60 Minutes why he pardoned Zhao, Trump replied, “I don’t know who he is.” The interview aired on November 2, 2025; CBS published the transcript the same day. Read the CBS transcript.
Trump had addressed the pardon earlier, on October 23. In those remarks, he said he did not know Zhao and did not believe he had met him, and characterized the prosecution as political, according to CBS’s report. These are Trump’s statements about his knowledge and view of the case, not independent confirmation of what he knew or how the pardon was decided.
Why the pardon drew scrutiny
During the interview, O’Donnell asked about a reported $2 billion purchase of World Liberty Financial’s USD1 stablecoin and raised “the appearance of pay for play.” Trump responded that his sons were involved in crypto and running a business: “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.”
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →#1 Best Overall
The $2 billion figure refers to the reported USD1 purchase raised in the interview; it is not established as money paid to Trump, Zhao, or the Trump family, or as payment for the pardon. FactCheck.org summarizes reporting that Binance assisted with USD1-related business and notes both administration denials of conflicts and expert concerns about appearances. That reported business context supports questions about potential conflicts; it does not prove a quid pro quo. FactCheck.org’s November 12, 2025, account reviews the legal and business context.
What Zhao and Binance were convicted of
Zhao’s personal case and Binance’s corporate case were separate. FactCheck.org reports that Zhao pleaded guilty to failing to maintain an effective anti-money-laundering program, resigned as Binance CEO, served a four-month prison sentence, and was ordered to pay a $50 million personal fine. Binance Holdings Limited separately pleaded guilty to federal violations and agreed to pay more than $4.3 billion in penalties. The corporate penalties were not Zhao’s personal fine.
Rank #2
- Ideal for Gifting
- Ideal for a bookworm
- Compact for travelling
How the White House explained Trump’s answer
On November 4, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump meant that he did not have a personal relationship with Zhao. That is the White House’s explanation of his remarks; it does not independently establish what Trump knew about Zhao or explain the pardon decision. Trump’s sons and World Liberty Financial also denied involvement in the pardon, as CBS and FactCheck.org reported.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What is established—and what is not
- Established in the reporting: Trump pardoned Zhao in October 2025, said in the November 60 Minutes interview that he did not know who Zhao was, and faced questions about reported crypto-business ties and the appearance of pay for play.
- Not established by these sources: that Trump’s pardon was traded for business, that the reported USD1 purchase was a payment to Trump or his family, or precisely what Trump knew about Zhao when he granted the pardon.
Eswar Prasad, a Cornell University economics professor, criticized the pardon in comments quoted by FactCheck.org, saying, “There is little justification for this pardon and highlights how far this administration will go to promote the cryptocurrency industry.” That is an expert’s assessment, distinct from evidence that a specific exchange occurred.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchPC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Quick Recap
Best Value
- It can be a gift option
- Comes with secure packaging
- Helpful in various ways
Rank #4
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
