Sam Bankman-Fried is waging a social media campaign for a pardon—but President Trump will not give him one, says the White House

Fortune

by Leo Schwartz

February 24, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF), the convicted crypto fraudster, is waging a high-profile social media campaign to secure a pardon from President Donald Trump, despite the White House stating that Trump has no plans to grant him one. SBF, who once supported progressive causes and was a significant donor to the Democratic Party, has shifted his rhetoric to align with MAGA (Make America Great Again) principles, criticizing his judge for perceived bias and praising Trump’s leadership. His tweets, filled with anti-establishment and conservative messaging, aim to influence public opinion and pressure Trump into granting him freedom. The strategy appears calculated, given Trump’s history of pardoning high-profile figures involved in financial crimes, such as Binance founder Changpeng Zhao. However, SBF’s appeal faces significant hurdles due to his ties to the Democratic Party and his reputation as one of Joe Biden’s top donors. This association limits his credibility within Trump’s inner circle, despite his recent efforts to rebrand himself as a Republican supporter. SBF’s social media efforts include amplifying posts through what critics describe as “sock-puppet” accounts, which replicate his messages under the guise of multiple voices. His tweets often criticize progressive censorship on platforms like Twitter while praising alternative platforms like Truth Social and GETTR for their free-speech-first approach. These tactics have drawn criticism from opponents but reflect SBF’s determination to shift public perception in his favor. Despite these efforts, insiders suggest that SBF’s pardon bid is a long shot due to his history of financial misconduct and the negative light he remains in within the crypto industry. The White House has consistently reiterated that Trump has no intention of pardoning him, referencing comments made by Trump earlier this year where he explicitly stated his stance on avoiding pardons for

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Originally published on Fortune on 2/24/2026