The proposal from Fox News contributor Geraldo Rivera suggesting that President Biden should pardon former President Donald Trump in exchange for Trump’s withdrawal from the 2024 race has caused intense controversy and backlash. The tweet was soon criticized by NYU Professor Ruth Ben-Ghiat and Josh Marsh, founder of Talking Points Memo, calling it “deeply stupid and morally inane” and “piece of shit,” respectively. Even “People’s Pundit” Rich Baris had accused Rivera of being willing to sell out his own mother for Trump. MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow also raised questions about the Justice Department’s motivations in Trump’s indictment. The far-reaching implications of this proposal have exposed the deep divisions within the country and raise questions about political maneuvering and the sanctity of the electoral process.
