The White House reiterated that President Donald Trump will not pardon FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried, who is serving a 25-year sentence for fraud. The statement confirms a position first stated in January 2026, despite recent pro-Trump social media posts from Bankman-Fried. His pardon prospects remain minimal due to his major donations to President Biden’s 2020 campaign and the scale of the FTX fraud.
The White House has reaffirmed that President Donald Trump will not pardon FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried, currently serving a 25-year federal sentence. This statement, first made in January 2026, comes despite recent pro-Trump social media posts by Bankman-Fried.
A White House spokesperson stated, “The President made it very clear in January that he does not plan to pardon Sam Bankman-Fried, and that remains the case.” The official did not clarify if this stance could change or if a pardon is completely ruled out.
President Trump has granted clemency to other high-profile figures in the digital asset space, including former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao and Silk Road operator Ross Ulbricht. Bankman-Fried’s chances appear lower due to his status as a major donor to President Biden’s 2020 campaign, to which he contributed $5.2 million.
He was convicted of fraud and conspiracy in 2023 for misappropriating billions from the bankrupt cryptocurrency exchange. From prison, Bankman-Fried has accused the sentencing judge of political bias and made posts criticizing what he calls the “deep state.” These efforts have not succeeded in altering the White House’s position on a pardon.
