Desperate Plea: Bankman-Fried’s Parents Push for Trump Pardon
Legal scholars seek clemency from Trump for their convicted son.

The parents of former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried have embarked on a high-stakes effort to secure a presidential pardon for their son, leveraging their legal connections and reaching out to figures within Donald Trump’s orbit. Joseph Bankman and Barbara Fried, both esteemed Stanford Law School professors, are now navigating the complex world of presidential clemency in a bid to overturn their son’s 25-year prison sentence for fraud and conspiracy.
Bankman-Fried, once the poster boy of the cryptocurrency boom, saw his empire crumble when FTX collapsed spectacularly in November 2022. The downfall of the crypto exchange was triggered by revelations of financial misconduct at Alameda Research, its sister company, which had allegedly siphoned billions of dollars in customer funds using a covert backdoor in FTX’s system. His conviction on seven counts of fraud, conspiracy, and money laundering solidified his status as one of the most infamous figures in financial history.
The push for clemency follows Trump’s recent commutation of Ross Ulbricht’s life sentence. Ulbricht, the founder of the Silk Road dark web marketplace, had spent over a decade in prison before Trump granted him clemency—a move that has emboldened families of other high-profile federal inmates. Unlike Ulbricht, however, Bankman-Fried has failed to generate widespread public sympathy. While many of FTX’s customers have since recovered their lost funds, his conviction and sentencing remain an emblem of unchecked corporate fraud in the crypto space.
Sources close to the matter indicate that Bankman and Fried have begun engaging with individuals connected to Trump’s circle, hoping to capitalize on his recent pardoning spree. Bloomberg reports that while the exact channels of communication remain uncertain, their efforts are in line with a growing number of white-collar criminals seeking last-minute clemency options. Legal consultant Sam Mangel, who has assisted individuals in securing presidential pardons, noted a significant increase in inquiries following Trump’s recent clemency grants.
The move to obtain a pardon is not without its hurdles. Trump, who has positioned himself as an opponent of government "lawfare," may view Bankman-Fried’s case through a lens of prosecutorial overreach, but it remains unclear whether he is willing to extend clemency. Moreover, the lack of public support for Bankman-Fried may prove a significant obstacle. While Ulbricht's supporters campaigned relentlessly for his release, Bankman-Fried’s case is largely viewed through the lens of corporate malfeasance, making a pardon less politically viable.
Adding another layer to the drama, former FTX executive Ryan Salame is reportedly also pursuing a presidential pardon, signaling a broader effort within the disgraced crypto exchange’s leadership to mitigate the legal fallout of its implosion.
Despite their academic stature, Bankman and Fried have faced scrutiny over their own ties to FTX, having been involved in certain financial dealings within the company. Their continued advocacy for their son underscores the deeply personal nature of the fight, as they attempt to leverage every available legal and political avenue to secure his release.
Meanwhile, Bankman-Fried remains behind bars in a federal facility, a stark contrast to his once-dominant presence in the crypto industry. As his parents press on with their pardon efforts, the outcome remains uncertain. Will their legal acumen and connections be enough to sway Trump’s decision-making, or is their son destined to serve out the remainder of his sentence?
photo source / Blockonome
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