Sam Bankman-Frieds Mom Is Posting From His Substack. Why?

Published: Thursday, November 6, 2025 at 11:00 am

Sam Bankman-Fried's Mother Advocates for Son's Defense Amid Appeal and Potential Pardon Efforts

As Sam Bankman-Fried appeals his conviction on fraud and conspiracy charges, his mother, Barbara Fried, has entered the public discourse. Fried, a Stanford Law professor, recently published a 65-page report on her son's Substack, defending him against accusations of defrauding customers of his crypto exchange FTX. Bankman-Fried was sentenced to 25 years in prison after being found guilty on seven counts.

His legal team, led by Alexandra Shapiro, is arguing that the initial trial was unfair, attributing FTX's collapse to a liquidity crisis rather than fraudulent activities. However, judges in the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, where the appeal is being heard, reportedly expressed skepticism towards these arguments.

Simultaneously, efforts are underway to potentially secure a presidential pardon for Bankman-Fried. His parents are reportedly consulting with Kory Langhofer, a lawyer who worked on Donald Trump's presidential campaigns. Bankman-Fried himself has been attempting to signal a shift in political alignment, including an interview with Tucker Carlson where he expressed disillusionment with the Democratic party and indicated a move towards supporting Republicans. He also donated over $40 million in the 2022 election cycle, with the majority going to Democrats.

The possibility of a pardon from Trump, who has a history of pardoning white-collar criminals, is being considered. Trump has previously pardoned individuals like Russ Ulbricht and Changpeng Zhao. While a former Trump official believes the chances are low, the possibility remains, especially given Trump's own grievances with the justice system. Bankman-Fried has also expressed similar sentiments, alleging politicization of the Department of Justice and criticizing the judge who presided over his case, Judge Lewis Kaplan.

BNN's Perspective:

While the legal process must run its course, the public relations efforts by Bankman-Fried and his family raise concerns. The attempt to align with a political faction known for its skepticism of the justice system, while simultaneously seeking a pardon, appears to be a calculated move. It is important to remember that the severity of the charges and the impact on investors should be the primary focus, not political maneuvering.

Keywords: Sam Bankman-Fried, FTX, Barbara Fried, Donald Trump, Pardon, Appeal, Fraud, Conspiracy, Tucker Carlson, Kory Langhofer, White Collar Crime, Crypto, Politics, Judge Lewis Kaplan, 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, Alexandra Shapiro

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