Former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried has reportedly been placed in solitary confinement at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center following an unauthorized interview with right-wing commentator Tucker Carlson. The U.S. Bureau of Prisons confirmed to The New York Times on March 7 that Bankman-Fried did not receive permission to conduct the interview, which aired on Carlson’s YouTube channel on March 6 and has already amassed over 730,000 views.
Unauthorized Interview Sparks Controversy
Bankman-Fried, who has been in custody since August 2023, spoke to Carlson about his experiences in prison and shared his views on U.S. crypto regulation. During the discussion, he insisted he was not a criminal and hinted at political leanings that have fueled speculation regarding a potential pardon. The Bureau of Prisons enforces strict communication regulations for inmates, and the interview’s publication seemingly violated these policies, leading to his transfer to solitary confinement.
Speculation on a Trump Pardon Grows
While Carlson did not explicitly ask Bankman-Fried if he expected clemency from former President Donald Trump, the conversation suggested sympathy toward Republican viewpoints. This has reignited speculation within the crypto community regarding a possible Trump pardon, particularly as political prediction platform Polymarket noted that the odds of an SBF pardon have nearly doubled since the interview’s release.
Trump’s past record of pardoning figures involved in high-profile financial and tech-related cases, such as Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht, has further fueled these discussions.
Bankman-Fried’s Appeal Battle Continues
Meanwhile, Bankman-Fried continues to fight his 25-year prison sentence. In September 2024, his legal team filed a 102-page appeal brief, arguing that the former FTX executive was never granted the presumption of innocence and that media coverage had biased the judicial process against him.
Also Read: Sam Bankman-Fried Speaks Out: Shocking Prison Interview with Tucker Carlson Reveals New Twists
With ongoing legal battles and increasing political intrigue, Bankman-Fried’s case remains one of the most closely watched in the crypto and financial sectors. Whether his recent solitary confinement will impact his appeal—or his potential for clemency—remains to be seen.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The author’s views are personal and may not reflect the views of Chain Affairs. Before making any investment decisions, you should always conduct your own research. Chain Affairs is not responsible for any financial losses.
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