Palantir Co-Founder Joe Lonsdale Condemns Trump's Controversial Pardons

Joe Lonsdale, renowned co-founder of Palantir and a prominent Silicon Valley venture capitalist, has publicly criticized former President Donald Trump over a series of controversial pardons that have ignited debate and division among his supporters. Lonsdale’s statements, particularly targeting the pardon of Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ), have sent ripples through the tech community, including among Trump loyalists. A staunch supporter of Trump in the past, Lonsdale’s public reproach highlights a growing fracture among the pro-Trump camp in Silicon Valley.

Lonsdale’s Surprising Reproach: “Terribly Advised” Pardon Decisions

Lonsdale, who has previously extolled Trump’s presidency as “possibly the greatest administration of my lifetime,” expressed his dismay at the recent clemency decisions, particularly with regard to CZ. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he slammed the presidential pardons as egregious misjudgments, citing poor counsel and the risk of fostering perceptions of fraud around the former president.

“I love President Trump; this is possibly the greatest administration of my lifetime—except for these pardons," Lonsdale stated. "If I’m calling balls and strikes, these are hit-by-pitches! POTUS has been terribly advised on this; it makes it look like massive fraud is happening around him in this area.”

Lonsdale’s words reflect a stark warning about the reputational risk to Trump and his inner circle, adding fuel to a growing debate over the motivations and transparency underlying these decisions.

The Binance Founder’s Pardon: A Flashpoint for Controversy

The unexpected pardon for Changpeng Zhao, founder of Binance, has become a particularly contentious case. Binance has been tied to World Liberty Financial, a Trump family-operated firm that listed its stablecoin USD1 and facilitated a $2 billion issuance. Critics argue this connection raises profound concerns about a potential conflict of interest. Lonsdale’s critique zeroes in on the lack of transparency surrounding the decision to pardon CZ, with implications that the move could leave a dangerous impression of impropriety or even corruption.

While Lonsdale has maintained admiration for Trump’s broader administration, his condemnation of the CZ pardon as a misstep highlights significant unease among traditionally supportive Silicon Valley executives. By comparing the decision to a "hit-by-pitch" misplay in baseball, Lonsdale implied it was not only misguided but damaging to the credibility of Trump’s decision-making process.

Expanding Criticism to Other Pardons: The Case of Trevor Milton

Lonsdale’s critique did not stop at CZ’s pardon. He also expressed disapproval of Trump’s decision to grant clemency to Trevor Milton, founder of the now-defunct hydrogen truck startup Nikola. Milton previously made grandiose claims about the capabilities of Nikola’s hydrogen-powered vehicles, which were later debunked, culminating in scandal, financial collapse, and the company filing for bankruptcy.

Lonsdale lambasted the lack of transparency in Milton’s clemency. "If the administration had provided a reasonable explanation for pardoning Milton, it might have changed how I think about the president’s use of pardons,” he said. Instead, he decried the move as demonstrative of an alarming absence of accountability while accusing Trump’s team of attempting to “sweep the issue under the rug.”

Speculation Around Future Pardons: The Case of Sam Bankman-Fried

In light of Trump’s recent pardons, speculation has mounted over whether Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF), the embattled co-founder of cryptocurrency exchange FTX, might also receive a presidential pardon. Quashing such rumors, Lonsdale was quick to express his disapproval of any consideration for SBF. Labeling the possibility “unacceptable,” he emphasized the detriment such a move could have on the perception of ethical governance. His position serves as a warning against further clemency for high-profile cryptocurrency figures amidst growing public backlash.

Advocating Transparency and Ethical Governance

Despite his fiery criticisms, Lonsdale clarified that his intent was not to undermine the legacy or overall policies of the Trump administration. Instead, he aimed to promote accountability and integrity in governance. “Anyone who studies history knows I also have tremendous respect for leadership and development. My goal with this post is to ensure future policies are positively impacted,” he explained.

Lonsdale’s remarks emphasize the need for greater scrutiny and transparency in presidential pardon processes. His critique calls attention to the broader ethical challenges that arise when clemency decisions are influenced by personal or business relationships. His pleas suggest that the administration must take a more transparent and responsible path to safeguard its credibility and align with its leadership ethos.

The Growing Rift Among Pro-Trump Supporters in Silicon Valley

Lonsdale’s statements underscore the widening divisions within the pro-Trump tech community. While many Silicon Valley players have traditionally supported Trump, the contentious pardons are fostering an internal schism, with calls for a reevaluation of presidential advisory processes growing louder.

The enduring backlash against these controversial clemencies indicates heightened vigilance among political and business leaders alike regarding the importance of ethical decision-making. Lonsdale’s outcry underscores the need for future administrations to prioritize transparency and accountability while carefully weighing the potential consequences of their decisions on public trust.

As the dust settles around these contentious pardons, the broader implications for Trump’s political legacy remain uncertain. However, one thing is clear: voices like Lonsdale’s have injected sharp criticism into a historically loyal camp, demanding a reevaluation of presidential practices to reinforce trust in governance and policy integrity.