Former FTX boss Sam Bankman‑Fried has failed in his attempt to win a presidential pardon from Donald Trump. The White House confirmed that the president has no plans to grant clemency, despite Bankman-Fried’s recent public appeals.
Bankman-Fried is currently serving a 25-year prison sentence after being convicted of fraud and conspiracy linked to the collapse of crypto exchange FTX. His legal team and supporters had hoped for leniency, but officials made it clear that no pardon is under consideration.
In recent weeks, Bankman-Fried has taken to social media to criticize the Justice Department and voice support for Trump’s policies. Observers believe these posts were part of an effort to gain political favor and increase his chances of a pardon.
His shift in tone surprised many. Before FTX collapsed, Bankman-Fried was known as a major donor to Democratic political campaigns. Now, he appears to be aligning himself with conservative messaging in a bid to change his legal situation.
Despite this strategy, Trump has already publicly stated that Bankman-Fried is not among the people he intends to pardon. White House officials repeated this position and suggested that his online campaign has not influenced the president’s decision.
The president has granted clemency to some figures connected to the crypto world. However, advisers say Bankman-Fried’s case is different due to the scale of the FTX collapse and the damage it caused to investors and the wider industry.
Political analysts say the failed effort shows the limits of public campaigns when it comes to presidential pardons. For now, Bankman-Fried remains in prison, with no clear path to early release.
