Sam Bankman-Fried has launched a public campaign to secure a presidential pardon from Donald Trump, but the White House says clemency is not on the table. Despite adopting pro-Trump rhetoric, the former FTX CEO remains unlikely to receive relief.
White House Rejects SBF’s Pardon Push
Convicted former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried is attempting a political reinvention from behind bars, but it appears to be going nowhere, according to a recent report by Fortune.
In recent weeks, Bankman-Fried has used social media to criticize the federal judiciary and praise Donald Trump, echoing themes common in MAGA circles. In one post, he accused Judge Lewis Kaplan, who sentenced him to 25 years in prison, of political bias and applauded Trump for opposing what he called “activist” judges.
The tone marks a sharp departure from Bankman-Fried’s past. Once one of the Democratic Party’s largest donors, he previously backed progressive causes and maintained close ties within Washington policy circles.
The strategy appears aimed at securing a presidential pardon. Since returning to office in January 2025, Trump has rolled back parts of the prior administration’s crypto enforcement posture and granted clemency to several high-profile financial offenders, including Binance’s Changpeng Zhao.
However, the White House has reiterated that Bankman-Fried will not receive a pardon. A spokesperson pointed to Trump’s earlier remarks stating he had no plans to grant clemency to Bankman-Fried or other prominent inmates.
Bankman-Fried continues to appeal his conviction in federal court while maintaining an active X presence through proxy communications approved by prison authorities. Critics say supportive posts are amplified by anonymous accounts, further fueling debate around his public campaign.
Despite the political repositioning, insiders suggest his reputation, both in Washington and within the crypto industry, makes a pardon highly improbable. In the current climate, political alignment alone may not outweigh one of the largest financial fraud convictions in modern history.
FAQ❓
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Is Donald Trump planning to pardon Sam Bankman-Fried?
No, the White House has stated that President Trump does not intend to grant a pardon to Sam Bankman-Fried. -
Why is Bankman-Fried appealing to conservative audiences?
The former FTX CEO has adopted pro-Trump rhetoric and criticized the judiciary, which many observers interpret as an effort to build support for clemency. -
What sentence is Bankman-Fried serving?
He was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison following his conviction related to the collapse of FTX. -
Has Trump pardoned other crypto figures?
Yes, Trump has granted clemency to certain high-profile financial figures, including Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, though Bankman-Fried is not expected to receive similar treatment.