President Trump granted a pardon last month to Changpeng Zhao, a billionaire crypto founder who pleaded guilty to money-laundering violations in 2023. Zhao’s company, Binance, had even struck a business deal in May involving World Liberty Financial, the Trump family’s own crypto venture. But when the president sat down with CBS’s “60 Minutes” recently, he gave us this unforgettable moment:  

Norah O’Donnell questioned former President Donald Trump about his decision to pardon a controversial figure, asking, “The government at the time argued that CZ significantly jeopardized U.S. national security by facilitating the transfer of millions of dollars for terrorist groups like Hamas. Why did you decide to pardon him?”

Trump responded, “Are you ready for this? I don’t know who he is. I understand he received a four-month sentence or something along those lines, and I heard it was part of a Biden witch hunt.”

Yes, you heard that correctly—Trump claims he is unfamiliar with the billionaire he chose to pardon.

The New York Times reports that, in his effort to secure a pardon, Zhao enlisted the help of lawyers and lobbyists with strong connections to Trump. Additionally, Binance, Zhao’s company, entered into a lucrative deal with Trump’s cryptocurrency firm, reportedly valued at tens of millions annually. When asked about the appearance of a “pay for play” arrangement, Trump dismissed the suggestion.

Norah O’Donnell pressed further, questioning, “How do you respond to allegations of pay for play?”

DONALD TRUMP: Well, here’s the thing. I know nothing about it because I’m too busy doing the other. I can only tell you that. No, I can only tell you this. Um, my sons are into it. I’m glad they are because it’s probably a great industry, crypto. I think it’s good.”  

That answer pretty much leaves us with two options.  

Option one: He’s lying — which would make sense, considering Zhao’s deal directly benefits his family.  

Option two: He’s telling the truth, and really did sign off on a presidential pardon without knowing who it was for.  

Either way, it’s not exactly a profile in leadership.  

If the president of the United States can’t recall who he’s pardoning — or doesn’t bother to ask — what message does that send about accountability at the highest level? Especially the same president who has spent months insisting Joe Biden was too impaired to even know who he was pardoning, accusing him of using the autopen machine.  

During the same “60 Minutes” interview, Trump argued, “Biden didn’t have a clue. He illegally used, as you know, a machine, the autopen, in order to give pardons to people.”  

So let me get this straight — it’s outrageous if Biden doesn’t know who he’s pardoning, but totally fine if Trump doesn’t?  

At some point, we have to stop letting “I don’t know him” double as a political strategy. Denial cannot be the default response.  

Lindsey Granger is a NewsNation contributor and co-host of The Hill’s commentary show “Rising.” This column is an edited transcription of her on-air commentary.