Trump Shuts Down Pardon for FTX’s Sam Bankman-Fried

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Trump Rules Out Pardon for FTX Founder Sam Bankman-Fried

Trump made the comment while discussing a variety of issues – political, legal, and economic – including the possibility of granting pardons to certain people. When asked about names that had been publicly mentioned, he included Sam Bankman-Fried along with other well-known figures from the worlds of politics, business, and entertainment. His answer was very clear and direct.

Key Тakeaways

  • Trump has ruled out a pardon for Sam Bankman-Fried
  • The decision contrasts with pardons granted to other crypto-linked figures
  • Trump continues to back crypto as an industry while distancing himself from major fraud cases

A closed door for the former FTX boss

Sam Bankman-Fried is in prison for 25 years after being found guilty of fraud and conspiracy linked to the failure of FTX. Prosecutors proved he misused billions of dollars belonging to FTX customers, leading to the collapse of what was once a leading cryptocurrency exchange and marking it as a major financial disaster.

Even with attempts to improve how people see him, Trump showed he wasn’t going to get involved. He didn’t present the situation as a strategic or legal choice, but simply as something that was already decided.

A complicated political backdrop

This position is particularly noteworthy considering Sam Bankman-Fried’s history of political donations. He was a major financial supporter of Democratic campaigns during the 2020 election, giving millions to groups working to oppose Donald Trump. This past involvement has led to occasional discussion about whether he might seek or receive a presidential pardon.

As I’ve been following the case, I’ve noticed Sam Bankman-Fried has been active on X, though his posts were shared by others. Interestingly, some of those posts seemed to compliment Trump’s previous use of presidential pardons, which led people to speculate about a potential strategy to appeal to him. However, Trump’s recent statements to the New York Times seem to definitively rule out any possibility of that happening.

Selective clemency in the crypto space

Unlike his decisions in other crypto cases, Donald Trump has declined to pardon Sam Bankman-Fried. While president, Trump previously granted clemency to several prominent figures in the digital asset world, such as Changpeng Zhao, the former CEO of Binance, and Ross Ulbricht, who founded Silk Road.

This shows Trump doesn’t treat all crypto-related issues the same way. Although he’s become more publicly supportive of the crypto industry in general, he doesn’t seem to support leaders who have been convicted of major fraud, especially when it involves customers’ money.

Pro-crypto, but not pro-FTX

In the interview, Trump explained his support for cryptocurrency, saying it appeals to voters and fits with his economic plans. He also recognized that taking a pro-crypto position could help him politically, and noted he’s become more familiar with the industry recently.

While there’s support for Trump’s involvement with cryptocurrency, it’s also facing close examination. He and his family are directly involved in several crypto businesses, like the World Liberty Financial project and a large investment in the American Bitcoin mining company. These connections are now a key point of discussion as Congress considers new rules for digital assets.

Despite generally supporting the crypto industry, Trump made it clear he wouldn’t offer any special consideration to people convicted of crimes involving it.

No signal of reversal

The situation is very clear for Sam Bankman-Fried. Since Donald Trump has stated he won’t offer a pardon, and it’s unclear if any appeals will be successful, Bankman-Fried’s only hope now lies with the courts, not a pardon from the President.

This episode highlights a change in how politicians are handling crypto controversies. Simply being open to new technologies and digital currencies doesn’t mean they’ll ignore wrongdoing, particularly when everyday investors suffer significant financial losses.

This article is just for informational purposes and shouldn’t be taken as financial, investment, or trading advice. Coindoo.com doesn’t support or suggest any particular investment or cryptocurrency. Always do your own research and talk to a qualified financial advisor before investing.

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2026-01-09 11:36