House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) is getting torched online after appearing to feign ignorance when asked about former President Donald Trump’s stunning confession that he didn’t know he’d pardoned a crypto billionaire.
During a press conference Monday, CNN’s Manu Raju pressed Johnson on the apparent double standard. Trump had just told 60 Minutes that he “knew nothing” about Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, even though he personally signed a pardon for Zhao — whose company, according to reports, had ties to the Trump family’s crypto ventures.
Raju reminded Johnson that just last week, the Speaker had gone after President Biden over his use of the autopen for signing pardons.
“Last week, you were very critical of Biden’s use of the autopen & pardons,” Raju said. “But Trump admitted on 60 Minutes to not knowing he pardoned a crypto billionaire who pleaded guilty to money laundering. Does that also concern you?”
Johnson’s response couldn’t have been more evasive: “I don’t know anything about that,” he said flatly. “I didn’t see the interview. You have to ask the president about that. I’m not sure.”
That brush-off didn’t sit well with people online — and they let him have it.
User Barry Phillips wrote: “Mike Johnson models his responses after the Sergeant Shultz character on Hogan’s Heroes.”
User Richard Angwin piled on: “Mike Johnson spent last week screeching about Biden’s ‘invalid’ pardons but suddenly plays dumb on Trump’s crypto bro giveaway, classic GOP hypocrisy in a tie.”
Another user, @notMagamama, summed it up bluntly: “They don’t know anything about anything. And they think that’s a legitimate excuse.”
Evaristus Odinikaeze didn’t hold back either: “Grindr Mike Johnson seen here with his selective ignorance on demand. He can recite Fox talking points about Biden’s pen, but suddenly goes blank when asked about Trump pardoning a convicted crypto criminal tied to his own family’s business.”
And user @VET_TYHALL called Johnson’s deflection what it is: “When the Speaker of the House dodges a direct question about presidential pardons tied to financial crimes and personal business interests, it’s not just a missed opportunity it’s a dereliction of duty.”
For someone who’s been loud about “accountability” and “integrity,” Johnson’s sudden case of amnesia didn’t go unnoticed. The clip — and the backlash — are spreading fast.
Watch the clip and more responses below:
RAJU: Last week you were very critical of Biden's use of the autopen & pardons. But Trump admitted on 60 Minutes to not knowing he pardoned a crypto billionaire who pleaded guilty to money laundering. Does that also concern you?
MIKE JOHNSON: I don't know anything about that. I… pic.twitter.com/g2l4LqtYMs
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) November 3, 2025
