Longtime CNN Host Calls On Biden To Pardon Trump

NewsNation host Chris Cuomo and ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith made a bold suggestion Monday night. The two iconic personalities urged President Joe Biden to pardon his political rival, President-elect Donald Trump.

The suggestion, which aired during Cuomo’s show, came in the wake of Biden’s controversial pardon of his son, Hunter Biden, a decision that has ignited widespread debate. “You know what else Biden should do? And I know people are going to get upset about this, but just think about it before you go crazy on me,” Cuomo said. “If I were he, I would pardon Trump.”

Smith, known for his fiery takes on sports but no stranger to political commentary, quickly backed Cuomo’s proposition. “Honestly, as crazy as this sounds, Chris, that’s exactly what I would do. Enough’s enough,” Smith said. “You’re the Democrats, you lost the election, you got your butt whipped… It’s time to move forward,” he said.

The ESPN analyst drew comparisons to historical moments of political reconciliation, such as Gerald Ford’s pardon of Richard Nixon after Watergate and Al Gore’s decision not to prolong the legal battle over the 2000 presidential election results. “Why? Because it was for the good of the country,” Smith argued.

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The call for clemency comes at a fraught time for the Biden administration. The president’s pardon of his son, Hunter, has drawn sharp rebukes from Republicans and even some Democrats, who accuse him of placing personal loyalty above national integrity. Critics argue that the move undermines Biden’s promise to restore faith in the justice system.

Smith and Cuomo, however, see a Trump pardon as a potential step toward national healing. Smith noted that more than a dozen charges against Trump have already been dropped, and the remaining cases face lengthy appeals. “[If] you want to get at Trump, sit back and judge what he does,” Smith said, urging Democrats to focus on preparing for the midterms and holding Trump accountable during his presidency.

According to a poll conducted by J.L. Partners, Biden’s approval rating has dropped to a historic low of 37 percent, marking a four-point decline from previous polls. More than half of voters surveyed—54 percent—believe the president’s actions were wrong, undermining his repeated assurances that Hunter would not receive special treatment. The fallout extends beyond Biden’s approval ratings.

The poll of 804 registered voters found that many Americans see the pardon as emblematic of deeper issues with trust in government.

Nearly 60 percent of respondents believe the move damages confidence in political leaders, with some comparing it to major scandals of the past. The poll, released on Sunday evening, revealed that 52 percent of participants believed Biden made a mistake in pardoning his son, while only 29 percent supported his decision.

Republican disapproval was substantial, with 79 percent opposing the pardon and just 13 percent in favor. Among Democrats, less than half—47 percent—supported Biden’s action, indicating a significant division within his own party. Overall, 54 percent of respondents indicated that the decision set a bad precedent, while only 10 percent believed it established a good one.

As the country prepares for Trump’s inauguration in January, Biden faces mounting pressure to chart a course that prioritizes unity—whether through bold acts like pardoning Trump or by addressing the fallout from his own controversial decisions.

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