Disgraced former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried, currently serving a 25-year prison sentence for financial misconduct, recently shared his thoughts in a rare interview as he approached his 33rd birthday. In a conversation with right-wing political commentator Tucker Carlson on March 5, 2025, Bankman-Fried discussed his prison life and political views regarding cryptocurrency regulations.
Although Carlson did not directly probe Bankman-Fried regarding a potential pardon from President Donald Trump, the former FTX executive seemed to express alignment with some Republican opinions.
Bankman-Fried Claims Equal Donations to Both Democrats and Republicans
Bankman-Fried, formerly recognized as a prominent donor to the Democratic Party—having contributed to President Joe Biden’s campaign—claimed that he had also donated comparable amounts to Republican candidates.
“I had as good a relationship, probably better, with Republicans in D.C. as with Democrats by that point in time, although that wasn’t what the public thought,” he reflected, referencing the backlash following the collapse of FTX in late 2022.
FTX, a once-leading cryptocurrency exchange, declared bankruptcy in November 2022 amid a liquidity crisis, leading to criminal charges against Bankman-Fried and several executives. While many from FTX, including Caroline Ellison (CEO of Alameda Research) and Ryan Salame (Co-CEO of FTX Digital Markets) have faced sentences, Bankman-Fried remains a high-profile figure associated with the scandal.
During his interview, Bankman-Fried insisted he did not consider himself a criminal, stating, “I don’t think I was a criminal.” He criticized the prosecution of Salame, arguing the charges against him were unjust and could have stemmed from political reasons.
Reports suggest that Bankman-Fried’s parents are currently investigating the option of securing a presidential pardon from Trump.
Bankman-Fried Describes Prison as Harsh
Currently incarcerated at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, Bankman-Fried shared his grim experiences, discussing meager meals predominantly consisting of rice and beans, and lamenting the absence of visits from former FTX employees.
“Anyone who was close to me ended up with a gun to their head, being told they had two options, and one of them involved decades in prison,” he lamented.
The legal implications surrounding FTX are subsiding, with Bankman-Fried being one of the last crucial figures waiting for a final verdict. Notably, former engineering director Nishad Singh and co-founder Gary Wang received lighter sentences, while Ellison was sentenced to two years in prison, and Salame, sentenced to seven and a half years, faces campaign finance charges alongside his wife Michelle Bond in 2025.
