Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht hopeful for ‘second chance’ after Trump’s pardon promise
Quick Take
- Jailed Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht thanked Trump on X for his vow to commute his life sentence
- Trump made the remarks while speaking at the Libertarian national convention
Imprisoned Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht released a statement of gratitude to former U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday, thanking Trump for his vow to commute his sentence “on day one” of a new Trump Administration if elected.
“Last night, Donald Trump pledged to commute my sentence on day 1, if reelected. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you,” Ulbricht said
“After 11 years in prison, it is hard to express how I feel at this moment. It is thanks to your undying support that I may get a second chance,” he added.
Trump made the remarks while giving a speech at the Libertarian Party’s national convention in Washington DC on Saturday. Despite receiving boos and jeers from the crowd during his speech at the convention, Trump’s statement on Ulbricht’s potential release was met with widespread approval and cheers from the crowd, many of whom hoisted “Free Ross” signs in the air and began chanting “Free Ross!”
Trump also vowed to ensure that the future of crypto will be “made in the USA,” backed support for self custody and promised to “keep Elizabeth Warren and her goons away from your bitcoin.”
Trump had also reportedly been considering pardoning Ulbricht during his administration, but finished his term without granting Ulbricht clemency.
Ulbricht is currently serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole for his role in creating and operating the dark web marketplace Silk Road, a site which facilitated the sale of drugs and other illegal products and services and utilised Bitcoin for payments.
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