Sam Bankman-Fried tries to get on Donald Trump’s good side by backing his Iran strikes

Former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried, who is currently serving a 25-year sentence for fraud, has renewed public praise of U.S. President Donald Trump, adding to speculation that he hopes to secure a pardon.

“Sam Bankman-Fried tries to get on Donald Trump’s good side by backing his Iran strikes The jailed founder of bankrupt crypto exchange FTX is fueling growing speculation that he is seeking a presidential pardon”

@coindesk

In a recent post on X, written through a proxy using prison-approved communications, Bankman-Fried backed Trump’s decision to launch strikes against Iran.

He framed the move as necessary to counter nuclear risk and claimed the operation had sharply reduced Iran’s military capacity.

@coindesk

His outreach comes as the remnants of his former empire continue to unwind.

“Sam Bankman-Fried tries to get on Donald Trump’s good side by backing his Iran strikes The jailed founder of bankrupt crypto exchange FTX is fueling growing speculation that he is seeking a presidential pardon”

@coindesk

Earlier this week, the FTX Recovery Trust said it will distribute about $2.2 billion to creditors as part of an ongoing Chapter 11 process, pushing recovery rates close to full repayment for many claim classes.

The tone has drawn attention, given Bankman-Fried’s legal position.

Presidential pardons have historically extended to financial crimes, and Trump has shown a willingness to grant clemency in high-profile cases.

@coindesk

Ross Ulbricht, who operated a digital black market platform called Silk Road, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in 2015 before Trump freed him shortly after being sworn in in 2025.

For Bankman-Fried, whose conviction stemmed from one of the largest financial collapses in crypto history, public alignment with the president may serve a clear purpose.