Trump Again Vows to ‘Save’ Silk Road Founder Ross Ulbricht

On the 12th anniversary of Ross Ulbricht’s imprisonment, former President Donald Trump announced his promise to “save” Ulbricht, reigniting discussions around Ulbricht’s case and the controversial Silk Road marketplace. 

Trump made this statement on Truth Social, stating, “I WILL SAVE ROSS ULBRICHT!” This declaration has sparked renewed interest in Ulbricht’s story and its connection to Bitcoin.

Source: Truth

Ulbricht’s situation has always stirred strong opinions. He founded Silk Road in 2011, an online marketplace that popularized Bitcoin for anonymous transactions, often linked to illegal activities. 

While it made Bitcoin widely known, it also gave the currency a reputation tied to crime. Ulbricht was arrested in 2013, with the FBI seizing his laptop, and he was sentenced to two life terms plus 40 years in 2015.

Trump’s commitment is not new; during the Libertarian National Convention in May 2024, he promised to commute Ulbricht’s life sentence if re-elected, earning cheers from attendees holding “Free Ross” signs. 

In response, Ulbricht tweeted, “Thank you. Thank you. Thank you… After 11 years in prison, it is hard to express how I feel at this moment.”

The crypto community remains divided over Trump’s promise. Some view it as a genuine effort for justice, while others see it as a strategy to gain support from libertarians and crypto enthusiasts ahead of the 2024 election.

Trump’s renewed support for Ulbricht aligns with his pro-crypto stance. At the same event, he criticized Senator Elizabeth Warren, stating he would “keep her and her goons away from your Bitcoin.” 

This shift marks a notable change from his previous negative views on cryptocurrencies, now embracing their potential as he aims for another presidential term.