FTX’s SBF Aligns With Pro-Trump Stance, Slams Biden

Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF), the convicted founder of the collapsed crypto exchange FTX, has returned to public attention with a sharp shift in political tone. 

From behind bars, he has increased his praise for United States President Donald Trump while strongly criticizing former President Joe Biden. 

Bankman-Fried Backs Trump as Pardon Speculation Grows

In recent months, Bankman-Fried has become more visible in political discussions. Following a public interview in February 2025 and a media appearance in March, he has openly supported Trump’s views. This is especially on cryptocurrency policy. 

Many observers believe this public support signals an effort to gain favor with the current president. This is possibly in hopes of receiving a presidential pardon, as seen in the case of Binance’s Changpeng Zhao 

Bankman-Fried has also extended his approval to Trump’s foreign policy actions, describing them as bold and supportive of democratic values. His comments suggest a broad alignment with Trump beyond digital assets alone.

This change comes shortly after Caroline Ellison, the former head of Alameda Research, completed her prison sentence. This added new focus on Bankman-Fried’s own legal future.

FTX’s Founder Turned Against a Former Ally

At the same time, Bankman-Fried has distanced himself from the Biden administration. Meanwhile, he previously supported Democratic leaders with large political donations. 

The disgraced founder has accused the former president of mishandling crypto policy and disappointing international leaders. He has argued that Biden made poor leadership choices that harmed the industry.

A key focus of his criticism has been the former head of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Gary Gensler. Under Gensler’s leadership, regulators took a strict approach to crypto oversight. 

Gensler stepped down in early 2025, just before Trump returned to office. President Trump appointed Paul Atkins as the new head of the Commission in April 2025. The crypto industry views Atkins as more open to innovation and dialogue. 

This leadership change has strengthened the belief that Trump’s administration will take a softer stance on digital assets compared to the previous government.

The SBF Legal Troubles Remain

Despite his political shift, Bankman-Fried’s legal problems remain severe. After the collapse of FTX in late 2022, authorities extradited him from the Bahamas to the United States.

A jury found him guilty on multiple felony charges in 2023, including fraud and money laundering. In 2024, a judge sentenced him to 25 years in prison. SBF filed an appeal in late 2025 and is still waiting for a ruling from a federal appeals court. 

While speculation about a pardon continues, market data suggests that such an outcome remains unlikely in the near term.