Sam Bankman-Fried Praises Trump’s Pardon of Honduran Ex-President: A Calculated Plea for His Own Freedom?

• Why Is a Jailed Crypto King Commenting on Presidential Pardons?
• The Unlikely Prison Alliance: SBF and a Narco-President
• Why SBF’s Pardon Chances Are Slim (Hint: Politics)
• The Dark Cloud Over Hernández’s Pardon
• What’s Next for SBF’s Clemency Hail Mary?
• FAQ: SBF, Trump, and the Pardon Puzzle

In a surprising twist, disgraced FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF) has publicly applauded Donald Trump’s controversial pardon of Juan Orlando Hernández, the convicted former Honduran president. Observers interpret this as a strategic MOVE by SBF, currently serving a 25-year sentence for fraud, to curry favor for his own potential clemency. This article unpacks the bizarre prison friendship, the political calculus behind SBF’s remarks, and why his pardon odds remain bleak despite his lobbying efforts.

Why Is a Jailed Crypto King Commenting on Presidential Pardons?

From his prison cell, Sam Bankman-Fried managed to post via a friend-run X account, praising Trump’s December 2025 pardon of Hernández—a fellow inmate at New York’s Metropolitan Detention Center. SBF called Hernández "one of the kindest, most dedicated people" he’d met, despite the ex-president’s conviction for facilitating 400+ tons of cocaine shipments to the U.S. during his 2014–2022 presidency. The irony? SBF’s glowing endorsement appears less about camaraderie and more about signaling his own desperation for mercy.

The Unlikely Prison Alliance: SBF and a Narco-President

Behind bars, Bankman-Fried and Hernández formed what SBF describes as a friendship forged in "the worst possible circumstances." Hernández was sentenced to 45 years in June 2024 for taking million-dollar bribes from cartels, including El Chapo’s Sinaloa group. Trump’s pardon freed him after

Why SBF’s Pardon Chances Are Slim (Hint: Politics)

Unlike pardoned crypto figures (Binance’s CZ, Silk Road’s Ulbricht), SBF’s political baggage may be fatal. Prediction markets give him just 2–4% odds. "Trump pardons loyalists, not adversaries," notes a BTCC analyst. SBF’s social media posts—claiming FTX was solvent at collapse—also undermine remorse. With his appeal pending in the Second Circuit, legal experts say a retrial is his best hope. As one trader quipped, "SBF’s pardon pitch is like asking for a refund after burning down the store."

The Dark Cloud Over Hernández’s Pardon

Trump’s decision shocked prosecutors: Hernández’s brother is serving life for drug trafficking, and witnesses were murdered pre-trial. The DOJ proved he weaponized Honduras’ police to protect cocaine shipments. Yet SBF’s praise ignores this, focusing on Hernández’s "character"—a tone-deaf move that risks alienating both sides of the aisle. "It’s not a good look to champion a narco-politician when you’re begging for leniency," observes a former federal prosecutor.

What’s Next for SBF’s Clemency Hail Mary?

With Trump’s 2025 pardon spree underway, SBF’s team is likely scrambling. But his case lacks the sympathetic angles of others: no claims of excessive sentencing or first-time offender status. His prison musings—like insisting FTX could’ve repaid customers—suggest he still doesn’t grasp the severity of his crimes. Unless a political miracle happens, SBF may spend his 30s and 40s perfecting chess strategies behind bars.

FAQ: SBF, Trump, and the Pardon Puzzle

Why did Sam Bankman-Fried praise Trump’s pardon of Hernández?

SBF’s comments are widely seen as an indirect plea for his own pardon, leveraging his unlikely friendship with the ex-Honduran president to signal rehabilitation.

How are SBF’s pardon chances compared to other crypto figures?

Abysmal. Polymarket traders peg his 2025 odds at 2%, far below peers like CZ. His anti-Trump donations and unrepentant stance hurt him.

What crimes was Hernández convicted of?

Conspiring to import 400+ tons of cocaine into the U.S. and accepting bribes from cartels, using Honduran police as escorts.

Could SBF’s appeal overturn his conviction?

Possible but unlikely. His legal team argues procedural errors, but the evidence—including his own admissions—is overwhelming.