Written by: Fortune
Compiled by: Felix, PANews
Convicted crypto fraudster Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF) was once a major donor to the Democratic Party, but his recent public statements have taken on a distinct "MAGA" (Make America Great Again) flavor. In a recent broadside posted on X, he wrote: "Clinton-appointed Judge Lewis Kaplan made no secret of his political bias in sentencing me. I admire President Donald Trump for standing up to this 'partisan, out-of-control radical'!"
This is just one of dozens of posts SBF has made in recent weeks, filled with attacks on the "Deep State" and other MAGA villains. Despite being one of the century's most notorious financial criminals, currently serving a 25-year sentence in federal prison, he remains active.
While SBF has not explicitly stated it, the purpose of his social media frenzy is clear: to persuade President Donald Trump to free him from prison. Given that Trump has pardoned several high-profile individuals convicted of financial crimes, including SBF's former arch-rival, Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ), this strategy seems logical.
However, for SBF, his pleas for Trump's mercy appear to be in vain. Regarding the recent social media advocacy campaign, a White House spokesperson reiterated to Fortune that Trump has no intention of pardoning SBF.
In an email, the spokesperson referenced Trump's comments in January of this year, when the President clearly stated he did not plan to pardon SBF, along with several other high-profile prisoners including former New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez and deposed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The spokesperson wrote: "The President is the final arbiter on all pardon matters."
SBF's lawyers did not respond to requests for comment.
A Failed Attempt
SBF was long a supporter of progressive causes, and his parents, Stanford law professors, hold considerable sway among top Democrats. But when SBF's fraudulent crypto empire collapsed in November 2022, the founder began plotting a pivot to the right. In a private document disclosed during his trial, SBF wrote that he planned to appear on conservative TV host Tucker Carlson's show and "come out as a Republican."
On the surface, this strategy seemed reasonable, especially in the current political climate. Trump took office in January 2025, promising to roll back the Biden administration's crackdown on cryptocurrency. Under Trump's leadership, regulators dropped key lawsuits against blockchain companies, and the Justice Department shifted its approach to crypto enforcement.
However, Washington insiders say SBF's status as a top Biden donor, combined with his enduring notoriety within the crypto industry, has made his pardon plea a long shot from the start. Even his unsanctioned appearance on Tucker Carlson's show last year—which reportedly landed him in solitary confinement—failed to turn the tide.
Despite the slim odds, SBF hasn't given up, appealing his conviction in federal appellate court. His X account is filled with posts promoting his newfound conservative identity, which critics have dubbed a "puppet account." (In his bio, SBF clarifies that he conveys content to an agent for posting via Bureau of Prisons-approved phone and email.)
A recent post reads: "Democrats love to censor 'misinformation' on social media," before praising Trump's campaign platform. "Truth Social and GETTR always put free speech first."
