Sam Bankman-Fried Praises Trump’s Pardon of Honduran Ex-President—A Bid for His Own Clemency?
- Why Did Sam Bankman-Fried Celebrate Hernández’s Pardon?
- Is SBF’s Praise a Calculated Play for Pardon?
- How Does Hernández’s Case Compare to SBF’s?
- What’s Next for Bankman-Fried’s Legal Battle?
- FAQ: SBF, Trump, and the Pardon Game
In a move that’s raising eyebrows, Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF), the disgraced founder of collapsed crypto exchange FTX, publicly applauded former President Donald Trump’s controversial pardon of Juan Orlando Hernández, the convicted ex-leader of Honduras. The two shared a jail cell before Hernández’s release on December 1, 2025. SBF’s praise is widely seen as a strategic plea for his own clemency, given his 25-year fraud sentence and his family’s lobbying efforts. But with his history as a top Biden donor and slim 2-4% odds on prediction markets, his chances look bleak. Here’s the full breakdown.
Why Did Sam Bankman-Fried Celebrate Hernández’s Pardon?
From behind bars, SBF took to X (via a friend-managed account) to hail Hernández’s release, calling him "one of the kindest, most dedicated people" he’d met during their time together at New York’s Metropolitan Detention Center. The irony? Hernández was convicted in March 2024 for conspiring to smuggle 400+ tons of cocaine into the U.S., using Honduran police as armed escorts. His brother is already serving life for drug trafficking, and key witnesses were murdered before trial. Yet TRUMP called Hernández’s 45-year sentence "unjust"—freeing him after
Is SBF’s Praise a Calculated Play for Pardon?
Absolutely. The FTX founder, sentenced in November 2023 for stealing billions from customers, has been quietly courting Trump’s inner circle via his Stanford-law-professor parents. But unlike pardoned crypto figures (Binance’s CZ, Silk Road’s Ulbricht), SBF faces hurdles: he donated $5.2M to Biden in 2020. Prediction markets like Polymarket give him just a 2% shot at clemency. "This is textbook jailhouse diplomacy," says a BTCC analyst. "But Trump’s team won’t forget those Biden checks."
How Does Hernández’s Case Compare to SBF’s?
Hernández’s crimes were brazen—taking bribes from cartels (including El Chapo’s Sinaloa) while president. SBF’s were white-collar: funneling client funds into political donations, VC bets, and Bahamian villas. Both cases reek of impunity, but Hernández’s pardon sets a wild precedent. "If a narco-president walks free, why not a crypto king?" quipped a TradingView commentator. The DOJ, meanwhile, is fuming—Hernández’s release undermines their entire anti-drug campaign.
What’s Next for Bankman-Fried’s Legal Battle?
His appeal is pending in the Second Circuit, arguing for a retrial. Even if that fails, his team might push for a sentence reduction. But with FTX creditors still furious and his PR in tatters, a Trump pardon seems like a Hail Mary. "I’d bet on bitcoin hitting $1M before SBF sees daylight," joked a CoinMarketCap trader. One wild card? If Trump wins in 2024, SBF’s parents could ramp up lobbying. For now, he’s stuck posting from prison—solvent claims and all.
FAQ: SBF, Trump, and the Pardon Game
Why did Trump pardon Juan Orlando Hernández?
Trump claimed Hernández was treated unfairly by prosecutors, despite overwhelming evidence of drug trafficking. Critics say it’s pure political theater ahead of the 2024 election.
Can Sam Bankman-Fried realistically get pardoned?
Odds are slim (2-4%). His Biden ties hurt him, and FTX’s victims are vocal. Prediction markets suggest it’s a long shot.
How much did SBF donate to Biden’s campaign?
$5.2 million—making him one of Biden’s top donors. That cash now looms large over his pardon prospects.
