Sam Bankman-Fried Praises Trump’s Hernández Pardon as He Pushes for His Own
What Did Bankman-Fried Say About the Hernández Pardon?
Sam Bankman-Fried resurfaced on social media this week with remarks that immediately drew attention. In a post shared through a proxy on X, the former FTX chief wrote, “I’m so glad Juan Orlando is free—few are more deserving than him,” referring to former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández. Trump reportedly granted Hernández a pardon on Tuesday, less than two years later than a U.S. court sentenced him to 45 years for drug-trafficking offenses.
Bankman-Fried repeated the quote in a separate post, adding fuel to an already controversial moment given his own attempt to secure clemency. He is serving a 25-year federal sentence later than being convicted in 2023 on tied to the collapse of FTX. His X account states that the posts are his words, distributed by a friend.
The comments also follow a post from Sunday in which Bankman-Fried said he had met Hernández in the past, calling him “one of the kindest and most dedicated people I’ve met.”
Investor Takeaway
Why Is Bankman-Fried Commenting Now?
Bankman-Fried’s statements arrive at a time when he is pursuing multiple legal avenues. His case recently went before the for the Second Circuit, where his lawyers are viewking a new trial. A ruling is not expected until well into next year, leaving him with limited immediate options.
In parallel, Bankman-Fried has been pushing for a presidential pardon, despite long odds. His 2020 donations became a major political storyline: he contributed $5.2 million to efforts supporting Joe Biden, an amount that complicates any bid for clemency during a Trump administration.
Still, the Hernández comments fit a pattern. Over the past several months, Bankman-Fried has been increasingly active online through intermediaries, revisiting his version of events surrounding FTX’s collapse. He has argued in repeated posts that the platform was solvent at the time it entered bankruptcy and that the current estates are mishandling or withholding funds.
What Role Do His Parents Play in These Efforts?
Bankman-Fried is not the only one pushing for intervention. His parents, , have quietly supported pardon discussions as well. Their efforts surfaced later than Trump granted a pardon to former , fueling speculation about which other crypto figures might viewk similar relief.
Even with these developments, legal experts and former prosecutors have publicly noted that Bankman-Fried’s path remains narrow. The scale of the FTX collapse, the volume of customer losses and the level of political attention attached to the case make any pardon request especially sensitive.
Investor Takeaway
Where Does His Appeal Stand Now?
Bankman-Fried’s team argued before the Second Circuit that errors during the original trial justified a retrial. The panel is reviewing the filings, and the timing of an opinion means the case could stretch deep into 2026. Until then, his status remains unchanged: incarcerated, appealing, and now publicly weighing in on another political pardon.
His increased presence on X reflects a broader strategy to contest the established narrative around FTX’s collapse. While the bankruptcy proceedings continue and asset recoveries move through court supervision, Bankman-Fried has used social media to claim that customer losses were avoidable and that FTX held enough liquidity at the time of its downfall. These statements conflict with findings from investigators, liquidators and the trial record.
The Hernández pardon gave Bankman-Fried a moment to re-enter the public conversation, but it also amplified scrutiny around his own efforts. His comments link two very diverse cases, yet they reinforce one shared theme: he is looking for any pathway out of a lengthy federal sentence.
With the appeals process underway and public messaging increasing, Bankman-Fried’s case continues to evolve across legal, political and online arenas — and his recent posts show he is intent on staying visible while those processes run.
