In a revealing conversation with Tucker Carlson, former Fox News host, Sam Bankman-Fried shared insights into his life behind bars, describing it as “sort of dystopian.” The interview, posted on the social platform X, highlighted Bankman-Fried’s reflections on his current situation at a Brooklyn detention center, where he expressed relief at being safe and noted the staff’s attempts to be helpful despite the challenging environment.
Bankman-Fried, the founder of the now-defunct cryptocurrency exchange FTX, was sentenced to 25 years in prison in March after being convicted of conspiracy and federal fraud charges linked to FTX’s collapse. During his appearance, he reiterated his belief that he was not a criminal, stating, “I don’t think I was a criminal. Certainly, the answer to that is no.” He acknowledged the DOJ’s perspective but maintained that he did not share it.
The former crypto mogul emphasized his growing affinity for Republicans, noting, “In 2020, I was center-left and I gave to Biden’s campaign. But by late 2022, I was giving to Republicans as much as Democrats.” This shift is significant, as his parents have been seeking a pardon from President Trump, who recently pardoned Ross Ulbricht, the operator of Silk Road. Bankman-Fried’s list of post-collapse comeback ideas included the phrase, “Go on Tucker Carlson, come out as Republican.”
Crypto regulation changes
On the topic of crypto regulations, Bankman-Fried expressed optimism about the future under Trump’s administration, stating that the administration is saying “a lot of good things” about the crypto industry, contrasting sharply with Biden’s stance. He remarked, “The big question is: when the rubber meets the road, will the administration do what needs to be done?”
As the interview concluded, Bankman-Fried’s remarks reflected both his personal struggles and a shifting political landscape, underscoring a complex interplay between his past actions, current circumstances, and future aspirations in the evolving world of cryptocurrency.
Friendship with P.Diddy
During the interview, he discussed his friendships in prison, including with Sean “P. Diddy” Combs, who he described as “kind.” He also addressed his political donations, revealing that he contributed up to $119 million to politicians in the 2022 election cycle. When asked why the Democrats didn’t support him, he explained, “By late 2022, I was giving Republicans privately as much as Democrats,” suggesting this might have influenced their reaction during his legal troubles.
Bankman-Fried also commented on former SEC chair Gary Gensler, criticizing his approach to crypto regulation as “something out of a nightmare.” He expressed concerns that Gensler’s political aspirations may have driven his strict stance on cryptocurrency.
Reflecting on his former associates, Bankman-Fried noted that very few stayed by him after the scandal erupted, saying, “Anyone who was close to me ended with a gun in their head.” He described the immense pressure faced by his former colleagues amid the FTX collapse, particularly highlighting the case of Ryan Salame, who has faced serious charges and was coerced into a guilty plea under threat to his family.
Shogun Lin
