UPDATE: In a shocking revelation during a 60 Minutes interview aired on October 1, 2023, President Donald Trump claimed he does not know who Changpeng Zhao, the founder of Binance, is—despite having issued a pardon for the crypto billionaire last month. Zhao had pleaded guilty to violating anti-money laundering laws, and Trump’s comments have raised eyebrows across the political spectrum.
During the interview, which was conducted by Norah O’Donnell, Trump was pressed on his decision to pardon Zhao, particularly as his company has been instrumental in facilitating a $2 billion purchase of the Trump family-backed World Liberty Financial‘s stablecoin. Trump responded dismissively, stating, “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.”
The discussion quickly shifted to the ongoing government shutdown, which is on track to become the longest in U.S. history. Trump placed the blame firmly on the Democrats, asserting, “The Republicans are voting almost unanimously to end it, and the Democrats keep voting against ending it.” He offered no concrete plan to resolve the impasse, implying that Democrats would eventually relent.
The president’s comments come at a critical juncture, as Democrats are demanding that any deal to keep the government funded includes an extension of Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, which are set to expire soon. Failure to extend these subsidies could result in premium payments doubling for most enrollees next year. Trump labeled the ACA as “terrible,” expressing a desire to fix the system without providing a specific plan.
When pressed by O’Donnell about his healthcare strategy, Trump claimed, “If we had the vote, that one vote, we would have great healthcare at a much lower cost.” However, he failed to outline any details, instead accusing Democrats of prioritizing funding for “prisoners, drug dealers, to all these millions of people that were allowed to come in with an open border from Biden.” It’s crucial to note that, contrary to Trump’s assertions, undocumented migrants are ineligible for Medicaid or ACA insurance.
As the political landscape intensifies, Trump’s remarks are likely to fuel further debate regarding his administration’s priorities and the implications of his pardons. With a government shutdown looming and healthcare costs at the forefront, the urgency of these issues demands immediate attention.
What’s Next: Keep an eye on developments regarding the government shutdown and potential negotiations between parties, as well as any fallout from Trump’s comments about Zhao and Binance. The intersection of politics, crypto, and healthcare continues to evolve, and every statement from key figures like Trump could have significant ramifications.
This interview underscores the complexities of Trump’s administration and the challenges ahead. Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.