Trump Claims He Doesn’t Know CZ As Debate Surrounding Pardon Heat Up

President Donald Trump has claimed that he doesn't know the Binance founder CZ despite personally granting him a presidential pardon just weeks ago. The remark, made during a 60 Minutes interview on Sunday, has drawn widespread disbelief, given Zhao’s central role in the global crypto industry and his high-profile conviction in the U.S.

Trump’s comments come amid growing scrutiny over his family’s crypto ventures and their financial ties to Binance. The president has repeatedly denied any connection to Zhao, even as his administration faces mounting questions about the circumstances surrounding the pardon.

Pressed about the decision to release Zhao — who pleaded guilty in 2023 to violating anti-money laundering laws — Trump dismissed the matter entirely, calling it “a Biden witch hunt.”

“I don’t know who he is. I know he got a four-month sentence or something like that, and I heard it was a Biden witch hunt.”

When interviewer Norah O’Donnell pointed out that Binance had reportedly helped facilitate a $2 billion purchase linked to World Liberty Financial, a stablecoin venture backed by the Trump family, the president brushed off the question, claiming he has no knowlege of what is happening in the project.

“I know nothing about it because I’m too busy.”

Trump went on to downplay any role in his family’s crypto dealings, saying

“My sons are running a business. I’m glad they are because it’s probably a great industry. They’re running a business, they’re not in government.”

The comments appear to be part of a broader strategy to distance himself from Zhao and the lingering controversy surrounding the Binance pardon. Critics say the move raises potential conflicts of interest, particularly as Zhao’s company and Trump’s family-linked ventures occupy overlapping areas of the crypto ecosystem.

CZ’s Pardon Sparks Backlash and Political Scrutiny

Zhao, once among the most influential figures in digital finance, stepped down as Binance CEO after pleading guilty to failing to maintain adequate anti-money laundering controls. He served a short four-month prison sentence before receiving Trump’s pardon in early October — a decision that triggered bipartisan backlash in Washington.

But lawmakers are now calling for an investigations into whether Binance or Zhao had any financial ties to Trump’s businesses or campaign infrastructure. Zhao has denied allegations that he or Binance lobbied for the pardon or financed Trump’s family ventures, insisting his legal team followed standard procedures.

During the same interview, Trump pivoted to domestic issues, blaming Democrats for the ongoing government shutdown — now on track to become the longest in U.S. history. The president provided few details on a reopening strategy but maintained that Democrats “will eventually give in.”

Trump also renewed criticism of the Affordable Care Act, calling it “terrible” and “too expensive,” signaling that healthcare reform could reemerge as a campaign talking point ahead of the 2026 midterms.

Warren’s Camp Fires Back as Binance Eyes U.S. Return

Meanwhile, the fallout from Zhao’s pardon continues to ripple through Washington. Senator Elizabeth Warren’s lawyer has dismissed CZ’s defamation threats, defending Warren’s remarks that labeled the pardon “corruption.” Her legal team maintains that Zhao’s conviction for violating the Bank Secrecy Act was a matter of public record and her statements were “true in all respects.”

Warren also alleged that Zhao “financed Trump’s stablecoin and lobbied for a pardon,” citing media reports linking Binance to World Liberty Financial. Zhao’s representatives have rejected those claims as “baseless.”

As the debate intensifies, Binance is reportedly exploring ways to re-enter the U.S. market under Trump’s administration — a move analysts say could reignite questions about the overlap between business and politics in America’s fast-evolving crypto landscape.