BREAKING: In a startling revelation during a 60 Minutes interview that aired on September 24, 2023, President Donald Trump claimed he does not know who Changpeng Zhao, the founder of Binance, is—even after granting him a pardon last month. This statement raised eyebrows given Zhao’s pivotal role in facilitating a $2 billion purchase linked to a Trump family-backed crypto project.
During the interview, Trump was confronted by interviewer Norah O’Donnell about the pardon he issued for Zhao, who pleaded guilty to anti-money laundering violations. Trump responded, “Okay, are you ready? 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.” His dismissal of Zhao’s identity adds a complex layer to the ongoing discussions about ethics in political and business dealings.
Trump further distanced himself from the controversy surrounding his family’s crypto ventures, stating, “My sons are into it. I’m glad they are, because it’s probably a great industry, crypto… they’re running a business, they’re not in government.” This comment highlights the intersection of family business interests and political decisions, raising questions about potential conflicts of interest.
The interview also touched on the pressing issue of the ongoing government shutdown, which is on track to become the longest in U.S. history. Trump attributed the impasse to the Democrats, asserting, “The Republicans are voting almost unanimously to end it, and the Democrats keep voting against ending it.” He did not provide a concrete plan to resolve the shutdown, instead predicting that Democrats would eventually relent. “And if they don’t vote, that’s their problem,” he added.
As both parties negotiate, Democrats have emphasized that any resolution must include an extension of subsidies for the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which are set to expire soon. Without this extension, many enrollees face a dramatic increase in premium payments. Trump criticized the ACA as “terrible,” proposing that bipartisan cooperation could lead to better healthcare solutions. However, when pressed by O’Donnell for specifics, he failed to outline any actionable plan, instead continuing to criticize Democrats for other policy decisions.
With the government shutdown looming and the ACA subsidies at stake, this interview has sparked significant conversations about accountability and the intertwining of political and business interests. The fallout from Trump’s comments is likely to reverberate through both political and crypto circles, making it a story to watch closely.
As the situation develops, both Trump’s statements and the ongoing negotiations could have lasting implications for healthcare policy and government operations in the United States. Stay tuned for more updates as this story unfolds.
