Thursday, December 4, 2025
In a few words:
President Trump pardons a businessman his Justice Department indicted. Guess who lobbied for it?
More details:
🧩 Simple Version
President Trump has given a full pardon to Tim Leiweke. Leiweke is a businessman who co-founded a company called Oak View Group. Earlier this year, President Trump's own Justice Department charged Leiweke. The charge was about rigging a bidding process for a new arena at a university. Leiweke said he was not guilty. Now, he is free from these charges because of the pardon. He used to say mean things about Trump online, but deleted them later.
🚨 How Fox Would Spin It
"PRESIDENT TRUMP SAVES GOOD MAN! Brilliant leader steps in to clear a patriot targeted by the Deep State swamp! Leiweke, a successful businessman, was wrongly accused by biased prosecutors. Trump's justice is swift and fair, proving he's still the people's champion against corruption!"
✅ DeFoxed Reality Check
President Trump issued a pardon to Tim Leiweke, a businessman his own Justice Department indicted for allegedly rigging a bidding process for a university arena. Leiweke had pleaded not guilty to the charges, which carried prison time and a fine. He was represented by a Trump ally, former Rep. Trey Gowdy, who lobbied the Justice Department for clemency. Leiweke, who previously called Trump a "con man," expressed "profound gratitude" for the pardon. The company Leiweke co-founded, Oak View Group, already paid $15 million in penalties related to the allegations.
💡 Why This Matters
This pardon raises questions about how the Justice Department operates under President Trump, especially when allies or individuals who previously criticized him are involved. It highlights the power of presidential clemency and how it can be used to override legal proceedings. This case shows how pardons can impact serious charges and potentially influence public perception of justice.
