SBF Breaks Silence from Prison: GOP Donations & Suicide Talk

Sam Bankman Fried (SBF) the founder of the collapsed crypto exchange, FTX, reveals he had secretly funded the Republican Party. On the wings of his prison cell, SBF spoke on Tucker Carlson’s podcast about his political contributions, his take on crypto regulation, and what prison is like.

Sam Bankman-Fried is doing 25 years behind bars, and is now sharing a cell block with Diddy. He joins us from prison for an update on his new life.

(0:00) What Has Prison Been Like?
(2:28) Was SBF Ever on Adderall?
(4:42) SBF Meeting Diddy in Prison
(7:01) How Prison Has Changed… pic.twitter.com/mNSNktLibg

— Tucker Carlson (@TuckerCarlson) March 6, 2025

SBF was convicted of misusing customer funds, leading to FTX’s downfall. Prosecutors alleged he spent over $100 million in misappropriated funds on political donations during the 2022 U.S. midterm elections, with most contributions going to Democratic candidates. However, in the interview, SBF claimed he also donated heavily to Republicans, particularly in late 2022.

Why SBF Funded Republicans

SBF stated that he started increasing his donations to the Republican Party due to concerns over the Biden administration’s handling of cryptocurrency. He described SEC Chair Gary Gensler’s approach to regulation as a “nightmare” and suggested that certain government policies influenced his decision to provide financial support to both parties.

He also commented on the future of crypto regulation under President Donald Trump. SBF expressed hope that Trump would follow through on his promises to create a more favorable environment for the industry. 

Meanwhile, SBF’s parents are seeking a presidential pardon for him, as his legal team works on an appeal to reduce his 25-year sentence.

Hints at Suicide and Life in Prison

While discussing his life in prison, SBF described the facility as relatively safe, stating that the prison officials had been friendly toward him. However, he expressed doubts about his ability to endure his entire sentence.

He pointed to the high suicide rate in prison, stating:

“The suicide rate here is three times higher than what’s expected, which says a lot about the conditions and the psychological toll.”

His remarks raised concerns about his mental state and the challenges he faces behind bars.

In his latest interview, SBF said that he had begun privately donating to the Republican Party in mid-to-late 2022, and the amount was about the same as that to the Democratic Party. SBF said he was not sure if he could hold on, suggesting that the suicide rate in prison was…

— Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) March 7, 2025

Accusations Against FTX Bankruptcy Team

SBF also made claims regarding FTX’s bankruptcy proceedings. He argued that if FTX had not filed for bankruptcy, the company would have been in a strong financial position. According to him, the exchange’s assets would have been valued at $93 billion, compared to its $15 billion in liabilities.

He accused those overseeing the bankruptcy of mismanaging FTX’s remaining funds, stating that “tens of billions of dollars” had been lost due to the way the proceedings were handled.

While SBF’s parents pursue a presidential pardon, his legal team continues to challenge his conviction. His lawyers previously argued in court that the trial judge did not allow him to fully present his version of events regarding FTX’s collapse. The appeal process remains ongoing.