Mike Johnson Roasted for Playing Dumb After Trump Admits to Doing What He Attacked Biden For
Speaker Mike Johnson takes questions from the press at the Capitol. (Screenshot via X)
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) is facing intense backlash online after appearing to dodge questions about former President Donald Trump’s stunning admission that he didn’t know he had pardoned a crypto billionaire.
During a press conference on Monday, CNN’s Manu Raju questioned Johnson about what many are calling a clear double standard. The exchange came just days after Trump told 60 Minutes that he “knew nothing” about Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, despite personally signing a pardon for him. Zhao’s company reportedly had financial ties to the Trump family’s own crypto ventures.
Raju reminded Johnson that only a week earlier, the Speaker had harshly criticized President Biden for using an autopen to sign pardons.
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“Last week, you were very critical of Biden’s use of the autopen and his 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 reply was dismissive and brief.
“I don’t know anything about that,” he said flatly. “I didn’t see the interview. You’ll have to ask the president about that. I’m not sure.”
That non-answer quickly went viral, sparking outrage across social media.
User Barry Phillips mocked Johnson’s response, writing: “Mike Johnson models his responses after Sergeant Schultz from Hogan’s Heroes: ‘I know nothing!’”
Another user, Richard Angwin, added: “Johnson spent last week screaming about Biden’s ‘invalid’ pardons, but now plays dumb on Trump’s crypto bro giveaway. Classic GOP hypocrisy in a tie.”
User @notMagamama put it more bluntly: “They don’t know anything about anything — and they think that’s a legitimate excuse.”
Evaristus Odinikaeze didn’t hold back either: “Mike Johnson’s selective ignorance is showing. He can repeat Fox News talking points about Biden’s pen, but suddenly forgets everything when Trump pardons a convicted crypto criminal tied to his family’s business.”
Another commenter, @VET_TYHALL, called Johnson’s deflection a failure of leadership: “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 a politician who often talks about “accountability” and “integrity,” Johnson’s sudden memory lapse struck many as calculated. The clip — and the flood of criticism — is now spreading rapidly across social media.
Watch the clip and more reactions below:
