Donald Trump nearly stormed out of a "60 Minutes" interview, and the fireworks weren’t even aired on TV. This clash with CBS anchor Norah O'Donnell, which only surfaced in a full transcript released by the network, reveals a tense showdown over a high-profile pardon with eyebrow-raising implications.
The Daily Mail reported that during the Sunday-aired interview, Trump faced sharp questions about his pardon of Changpeng Zhao, the Binance founder known as CZ, while navigating accusations of potential impropriety tied to a massive cryptocurrency deal involving his sons.
This wasn’t just any sit-down—it marked Trump’s first "60 Minutes" appearance since his legal battle with CBS over what he called a misleading edit of a Kamala Harris interview.
That dispute, centered on differing versions of Harris’s comments on the Israel-Gaza conflict, ended with a $16 million settlement in Trump’s favor. It’s safe to say he walked into this interview with a chip on his shoulder, ready for a fight.
The real heat came when O'Donnell pressed Trump on pardoning Zhao, who had pleaded guilty to money laundering violations and served a four-month prison sentence.
The timing of the pardon raised red flags, coinciding with Binance’s $2 billion purchase of stablecoins from World Liberty Financial, a crypto platform run by Trump’s sons, Don Jr. and Eric. One can’t help but wonder if this smells like a conflict of interest, even if the law books don’t spell it out.
Trump, however, dodged the specifics with a shrug, claiming ignorance about the details. “Well, here's the thing, I know nothing about it because I'm too busy,” he told O'Donnell. Too busy to know about a multi-billion-dollar deal tied to your family? That’s a tough sell, even for loyal supporters who admire his focus on bigger-picture leadership.
Instead of addressing the optics, Trump pivoted to defending the pardon by blasting the Biden administration’s Justice Department for what he called over-prosecution of Zhao.
He framed it as part of a broader mission to keep America dominant in the crypto space. While his passion for U.S. innovation is commendable, sidestepping the ethical questions leaves a lingering unease.
Trump didn’t stop at defending the pardon—he boasted about America’s crypto supremacy under his watch. “Excuse me. We're No. 1 in crypto in the whole world,” he declared to O'Donnell with characteristic bravado. Yet, asserting dominance in a volatile industry while glossing over regulatory concerns feels like putting the cart before the horse.
The interview wasn’t just about digital currency; Trump veered into alarming territory by claiming Russia and China are secretly conducting underground “doomsday” nuclear weapons tests. He argued these actions go unreported due to controlled media in those nations.
O'Donnell pushed back, clarifying her understanding that Russia recently tested a delivery system, not nuclear warheads, referencing Vladimir Putin’s own statements about testing a nuclear-powered torpedo and a new cruise missile.
Trump’s response was vague, hinting at hidden underground tests causing subtle vibrations. While his concern for national security resonates, the lack of specifics risks sounding like speculation over substance.
Trump doubled down, reaffirming his intent to resume U.S. nuclear weapons testing in response to perceived threats from other nations.
There’s confusion over whether this would mean the first U.S. nuclear detonation since 1992, especially since no country besides North Korea has conducted such tests in decades. It’s a bold stance, but one that could reignite global tensions if not carefully measured.
Interestingly, the most explosive moment of the interview—Trump’s threat to walk out—was cut from both the 28-minute TV broadcast and the extended hour-long YouTube version.
Only the full transcript released by CBS captured this near-meltdown, suggesting the network might have wanted to soften the blow. For a man who thrives on raw, unscripted moments, having this hidden feels like a missed chance to show his unvarnished grit.
Let’s be clear: Trump’s frustration with tough questions is understandable, especially when the media often seems to have an agenda. But threatening to bolt during a national interview risks looking evasive rather than principled. Supporters might see it as standing up to biased reporting, yet it’s a fine line between defiance and dodging accountability.
The pardon of Zhao, tied so closely to a major business deal involving Trump’s sons, demands more transparency than a dismissive “I’m too busy” can provide.
While fostering crypto innovation is a worthy goal, ignoring the appearance of impropriety only fuels critics who already view Trump’s circle with suspicion. A little more candor could go a long way in maintaining trust.