"Startled from a deathbed illness," SBF desperately flatters Trump for pardon but gets rejected

marsbitPublished on 2026-02-25Last updated on 2026-02-25

Abstract

Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF), the convicted cryptocurrency fraudster and former major donor to the Democratic Party, has recently adopted a pro-Trump and MAGA-aligned rhetoric in a series of social media posts. Despite being sentenced to 25 years in federal prison, SBF has been actively praising Donald Trump and criticizing what he calls the "Deep State" and partisan bias in the judiciary, explicitly naming the judge who sentenced him. His apparent goal is to seek a presidential pardon from Trump, who has previously pardoned high-profile financial criminals, including Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ). However, the Trump administration has reiterated that he has no intention of pardoning SBF, along with several other notable prisoners. SBF, once a prominent supporter of progressive causes, began shifting toward conservative alignment after the collapse of FTX, even planning to appear on Tucker Carlson’s show as a Republican. Despite his efforts, his history as a top Biden donor and his notorious reputation in crypto make a pardon highly unlikely. SBF continues to appeal and maintains an active, conservatively-focused social media presence through approved prison communication channels.

Author: Fortune

Compiled by: Felix, PANews

Convicted cryptocurrency 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) tone. In a recent manifesto posted on platform X, he wrote: "Judge Lewis Kaplan, appointed by Clinton, showed no restraint in his political bias when sentencing me. I admire President Donald Trump because he dares to stand up to this 'partisan, out-of-control radical'!"

This is just one of dozens of tweets SBF has posted in recent weeks, filled with attacks on the "Deep State" and other MAGA villains. Despite being one of the most notorious financial criminals of the century, currently serving a 25-year sentence in federal prison, he remains active.

Although SBF has not explicitly stated it, the purpose of his social media frenzy is obvious: to persuade President Donald Trump to rescue him from prison. Given that Trump has pardoned several high-profile individuals convicted of financial crimes, including SBF's former rival, Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ), this strategy seems logical.

However, for SBF, his plea for Trump's mercy appears futile. In response to recent social media advocacy, a White House spokesperson reiterated to Fortune magazine that Trump has no intention of pardoning SBF.

In an email, the spokesperson referenced Trump's remarks in January of this year, when the president explicitly stated that he did not plan to pardon SBF or several other high-profile prisoners, including former New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez and ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The spokesperson wrote: "The president is the final arbiter of all pardon matters."

SBF's lawyers did not respond to the matter.

Failed Attempt

SBF has long been a supporter of progressive causes, and his parents, both law professors at Stanford University, wield considerable influence among top Democrats. However, when SBF's fraudulent crypto empire collapsed in November 2022, the founder began planning a shift to the right. During the trial, a private document revealed that SBF 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 is set to take office in January 2025 and has promised to roll back the Biden administration's crackdown on cryptocurrencies. Under Trump's leadership, regulators have withdrawn key lawsuits against blockchain companies, and the Department of Justice has shifted its approach to cryptocurrency enforcement.

However, Washington insiders say SBF's status as a top donor to Biden, combined with his continued notoriety in the crypto industry, made his pardon plea a long shot from the start. Even his unauthorized appearance on Tucker Carlson's show last year (which reportedly landed him in solitary confinement) failed to turn the tide.

Despite the slim chances, SBF has not given up. He is still appealing his conviction in federal appellate court. His X account is filled with posts promoting his newly adopted conservative identity, which critics have dubbed a "puppet account." (In his bio, SBF clarifies that he communicates content to agents via Bureau of Prisons-approved phones and emails for posting.)

A recent post read: "Democrats love to censor 'misinformation' on social media," followed by praise for Trump's campaign platform. "Truth Social and GETTR have always put free speech first."

Related reading: SBF's first prison interview: I was targeted by the DOJ for donating to the Republican Party, begging President Trump's pardon

Related Questions

QWhat is the main reason SBF (Sam Bankman-Fried) is trying to align himself with MAGA and Donald Trump?

ASBF is attempting to seek a pardon from Donald Trump by publicly supporting him and criticizing his opponents, hoping for a commutation of his 25-year prison sentence for cryptocurrency fraud.

QHow did the White House respond to SBF's recent efforts to gain support from Trump?

AA White House spokesperson reiterated to Fortune magazine that Trump has no intention of pardoning SBF, referencing Trump's earlier statements in January where he explicitly stated he would not pardon SBF and other high-profile prisoners.

QWhat was SBF's political affiliation before his legal troubles, and how did it change?

ASBF was previously a major donor to the Democratic Party and supported progressive causes. However, after the collapse of his crypto empire in November 2022, he began shifting to the right, planning to appear as a Republican on conservative media.

QWhat strategy did SBF use to promote his new conservative identity while in prison?

ASBF used his X (formerly Twitter) account, managed by an approved intermediary through prison-approved phone and email, to post numerous messages criticizing the 'Deep State' and praising Trump, in an effort to build conservative support.

QWhy is SBF's attempt to gain a pardon from Trump considered unlikely to succeed?

ASBF's past as a top donor to Biden, his notorious reputation in the crypto industry, and the explicit rejection from Trump's camp make his pardon plea highly unlikely, despite his efforts to align with conservative causes.

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