Former FTX CEO, Sam “SBF” Bankman-Fried, once explored the idea of paying Donald Trump not to run for the United States presidency, as revealed by Michael Lewis, the author of the book “Going Infinite: The Rise and Fall of a New Tycoon.”
In an interview on October 1st, Michael Lewis shed light on the enigmatic journey of the former crypto billionaire and FTX founder.
One of the most astonishing revelations from the book was SBF’s contemplation of offering a hefty sum to dissuade Donald Trump from pursuing another presidential campaign.
Lewis commented on this by saying, “That only shocks you if you don’t know Sam,” hinting at SBF’s unconventional thinking.
The proposed sum to deter Trump from running was a staggering $5 billion, although it remained uncertain whether this figure came directly from Donald Trump.
Additionally, SBF sought to determine the legality of such an arrangement.
However, this plan never came to fruition because Bankman-Fried no longer possessed the required $5 billion.
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Lewis pointed out that SBF viewed Trump as a potential threat to American democracy, considering him an “existential risk” to the nation.
Lewis spent over 70 days in the Bahamas during various trips in 2022 to closely observe SBF’s life and character, allowing him unique insights into the former CEO’s world.
Discussing the aftermath of FTX’s collapse in November 2022, Lewis vividly described it as reminiscent of Pompeii, with abandoned clothes and belongings, as employees rushed to the airport, leaving company cars with keys inside.
When contacted for comment, legal representatives for Bankman-Fried and Trump remained tight-lipped. Mark Botnick, handling communications for SBF’s case, indicated that there was no official statement from SBF’s legal team.
The high-profile trial of Sam Bankman-Fried is scheduled to commence on October 3rd with jury selection, followed by the trial proceedings beginning on October 4th.
The trial encompasses seven fraud cases against SBF, including two substantive charges where the prosecution must prove Bankman-Fried’s guilt and five other conspiracy charges.
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