Trump pardons 11, posts signed $100 bill image, and faces scrutiny over crypto claims

Donald Trump recently granted pardons to 11 individuals, with most having been convicted of Clean Air Act violations for tampering with vehicle emissions controls. Among those pardoned was Adam Kidan, who was involved in the Jack Abramoff wire fraud scandal. Trump announced some of these acts of clemency on social media, suggesting the recipients were unfairly targeted.

Separately, Trump drew attention by sharing an image of a $100 bill featuring his signature on social media. This follows a Treasury Department announcement from March 2026 that his signature would officially appear on $100 bills starting in June 2026, marking the first time a sitting U.S. president's signature has been included on federal currency.

Furthermore, the former president is currently facing significant scrutiny over recent financial disclosures revealing substantial earnings, exceeding $1 billion, from cryptocurrency ventures in 2025. Critics have labeled these earnings "brazen crypto corruption," raising ethical concerns regarding potential conflicts of interest as he did not divest his assets. Trump, however, has defended these financial activities, stating they are legal and align with his goal of establishing the U.S. as a global leader in cryptocurrency.