Donald Trump's significant increase in presidential pardons during his second term has attracted intense lobbying efforts, with millions of dollars being offered to secure clemency for wealthy convicted clients.According to the Wall Street Journal, Trump's pardon activity stands in stark contrast to...
  • Wispy2891@lemmy.world
    28·
    1 day ago

    The pardon of Changpeng Zhao, founder of cryptocurrency exchange Binance, drew scrutiny after lobbyists were paid approximately $800,000 before the pardon was granted.

    According to Forbes, Zhao is the richest Canadian and the 21st-richest person in the world, with a net worth estimated at $88.0 billion as of October 2025

    Literally peanuts. Paying bribes this cheap it’s a no brainer. Compared to the median American net worth it’s like paying $2.

    • pulsewidth@lemmy.world
      3·
      22 hours ago

      I’m sure the paper trail showing what the lobbyists were paid is the mere tip of the iceberg.

      There’s no way in hell the founder of a cryptocurrency exchange didn’t give Trump a massive payday of crypto off the books to secure his pardon.

      • Wispy2891@lemmy.world
        5·
        21 hours ago

        Well, by pure coincidence, a stablecoin that wlfi is printing (Trump) was placed on binance just days after the pardon. But this is surely a coincidence