TV Coverage of Donald Trump’s Pardon
Among broadcast networks, the CBS Evening News was notably the only program to skip coverage of Donald Trump’s unexpected pardon for cryptocurrency mogul Changpeng Zhao on Thursday.
Reactions from Other Outlets
While ABC, CBS, and PBS reported on the surprising pardon granted to Zhao, the Bari Weiss-controlled network, previously home to Walter Cronkite, remained silent. Though Fox does not have a nightly news show, the pardon was mentioned by Rupert Murdoch’s Wall Street Journal, Fox News, CNN, the New York Times, and other major outlets.
Political Implications
The timing of the pardon, announced Thursday morning, is significant given Zhao’s recent connections with Trump’s family and their cryptocurrency ventures. The Biden administration has raised serious concerns about Binance’s alleged failure to regulate its platform against illegal activities.
Details of Zhao’s Legal Issues
Among these illegal activities were alleged financial transactions by Hamas and funds linked to child sex trafficking, according to prosecutors. After pleading guilty in 2023, Zhao stepped down from Binance, serving four months in prison before his recent pardon.
White House Commentary
At a White House briefing, press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that Trump exercised his constitutional power to pardon Zhao, emphasizing that the Biden administration’s initiatives against cryptocurrency have ended.
Segments from CBS Evening News
In that evening’s broadcast, the CBS Evening News focused on the NBA gambling scandal, U.S. military actions, and challenges facing the federal government. Yet, there was no reference to Zhao’s pardon or his crypto affiliations with the Trump family.
Public Responses and Future Outlook
Despite the lack of coverage on the CBS program, the Zhao pardon was acknowledged on the CBS News website. Zhao expressed gratitude for the pardon, emphasizing his commitment to advancing crypto in the U.S. Meanwhile, Binance representatives voiced their appreciation for Trump’s leadership in making the U.S. a global crypto hub.
