Ex-FTX CEO Considered $5B Bribe To Dissuade Trump Presidency, Reveals New Book
Summary:
Michael Lewis' latest book reveals ex-FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried's consideration of bribing Donald Trump to not run for presidency, potentially with a sum of $5 billion. Bankman-Fried's perceived Trump as a threat to US democracy. The plan fell through due to financial constraints and FTX's collapse. The book also details the aftermath of FTX's downfall, likening it to Pompeii. The Sam Bankman-Fried trial is set to begin October 3rd.
In Michael Lewis' latest book detailing the ups and downs of Sam Bankman-Fried, the previous CEO of FTX, he disclosed the shocking revelation that Bankman-Fried considered bribing Donald Trump to prevent him from running for presidency. Lewis' book, "Going Infinite: The Rise and Fall of a New Tycoon," unravels unusual anecdotes about the former crypto magnate and creator of FTX in a new televised interview on Oct. 1. It surprised audiences to hear that Bankman-Fried even considered offering a sum to Trump to opt out of the presidential race. According to Lewis, "It may seem outlandish only if you have no familiarity with Sam’s nature. The concept of discouraging Trump's candidacy by offering him payment crossed Bankman-Fried's mind — but at what cost? The sum of $5 billion was speculated, though it was unclear whether this figure was sourced from Trump himself." Lewis claimed that Bankman-Fried and his team were discussing the legality of this proposition when FTX started spiraling down. However, due to financial constraints, the plan never materialized, leaving Bankman-Fried short of the hefty $5 billion.
Lewis' narrative further elaborates that Bankman-Fried saw Trump as a threat to democracy in the US, adding him to his list of "potential perils to human survival." Over a year, Lewis spent nearly 70 days of extensive visits to the Bahamas, becoming well-acquainted with Bankman-Fried. "Frequent stays in guest rooms allowed me access codes to every corner of the establishment, including the top-floor suite," he reported to WSJ.
Following the downfall of FTX in November 2022, Lewis likened the situation to a disaster. “The aftermath was quite similar to Pompeii. Personal items were left behind, as if frozen in time. Many hastened to the airport, abandoning company vehicles and leaving keys on the sidewalk,” he reported.
Cointelegraph reached out to the legal teams of both Sam Bankman-Fried and Donald Trump for their comments. Mark Botnik, the lead communicator for Bankman-Fried's case, made no comment on behalf of his legal team.
Moreover, the court docket released last week indicated the beginning of the Sam Bankman-Fried trial on October 3rd, starting with the jury selection. The proceedings will commence from October 4th. The trial will address seven fraud allegations, two solid charges, with the prosecution having to prove Bankman-Fried's guilt and five other conspiracy cases.
Published At
10/2/2023 5:40:17 AM
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