Disgraced Crypto Entrepreneur Considered Paying Trump Not to Run for Re-election
Sam Bankman-Fried (aka SBF), the founder and former CEO of the bankrupt FTX cryptocurrency exchange, contemplated offering Donald Trump $5 billion to refrain from running for re-election. Michael Lewis, author of “The Big Short,” revealed in an interview that SBF was uncertain if the $5 billion figure originated from Trump himself. However, SBF’s primary concern was not the amount but rather the legality of such a proposition.
Potential Payments to McConnell and Back Channel to Trump Operation
An excerpt from Lewis’ upcoming book, “Going Infinite: The Rise and Fall of a New Tycoon,” discloses that SBF also considered paying $15 million to $30 million to Senator Mitch McConnell in an attempt to defeat more “Trumpier” candidates in Senate races. Lewis stated that SBF and his team had managed to establish a covert connection with the Trump campaign. Even after FTX’s downfall, SBF continued these discussions.
Financial Constraints and Legal Troubles
The plan did not materialize due to SBF’s lack of funds. This revelation comes at an inconvenient time for Bankman-Fried as US Judge Lewis Kaplan recently permitted prosecutors to discuss his political donations during his upcoming fraud trial. The trial is scheduled to begin on October 3, 2023, and will last for at least 21 days. Bankman-Fried will remain in custody until the trial concludes.
Hot Take: Bankman-Fried’s Ambitious and Controversial Political Strategy
The news of Sam Bankman-Fried considering a substantial payment to dissuade Donald Trump from running for re-election showcases the entrepreneur’s audacious approach. This controversial move demonstrates the lengths some individuals may go to influence politics, even within the crypto space. Bankman-Fried’s legal troubles and financial constraints ultimately prevented the plan from materializing. However, this revelation raises questions about the potential intersection of cryptocurrency and political influence in the future.
By
By
By
By
By