Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF), the disgraced FTX founder, is trying a long shot to get out of prison: a presidential pardon from Donald Trump. This comes after he was sentenced to 25 years in prison on March 28, 2024.
SBF’s Charm Offensive: Targeting Trump
SBF is pulling out all the stops to win over Trump and the Republican party. In a recent interview, he slammed the Biden administration and the Democratic party, a surprising move considering he was a major Democratic donor before his conviction for fraud.
He even voiced support for Elon Musk’s government efficiency initiative, suggesting drastic budget cuts of up to 70% in some areas. Throughout the interview, he maintained his innocence, claiming no one at FTX was guilty. This interview seems to be part of a larger effort by SBF and his parents to get Trump’s attention; they’ve reportedly already appealed to the former president for a pardon.
Taking Aim at Biden’s Justice System
SBF also criticized Judge Lewis Kaplan, who presided over his case, and the Department of Justice (DOJ) under Biden. He claimed the DOJ has been overly politicized, suggesting things are looking up under Trump. Interestingly, Kaplan also oversaw the case against Trump where he was found liable for sexual abuse and defamation. SBF pointed out this shared grievance with Trump, hoping to create common ground.
SBF previously appealed his conviction, arguing that Kaplan was biased and had already decided he was guilty before the trial. A pardon would make him the second crypto-related figure Trump has pardoned, following Ross Ulbricht, the founder of Silk Road.
