Former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried as soon as appeared into paying Donald Trump to not run for United States president, in keeping with Michael Lewis, the writer of a brand new guide documenting the rise and fall of SBF.
Michael Lewis, writer of “Going Infinite: The Rise and Fall of a New Tycoon,” spoke concerning the former crypto billionaire and FTX founder in a 60 Minutes interview on Oct. 1.
One of many revelations within the guide is that SBF appeared into paying Donald Trump to not run for president. “That solely shocks you should you don’t know Sam,” mentioned Lewis earlier than including:
“Sam’s pondering that we may pay Donald Trump to not run for president […] like how a lot would it not take?”
“The quantity that was kicking round was $5 billion,” he added earlier than saying that SBF was uncertain if that quantity got here instantly from Donald Trump.
SBF was additionally wanting into the legality of it, in keeping with Lewis, who added that “they had been nonetheless having these conversations when FTX blew up.”
It simply didn’t occur as a result of Bankman-Fried didn’t have the $5 billion any longer, he added.
lol what??
SBF was making an attempt to pay Trump $5 billion to not run once more. pic.twitter.com/ffbmfI3R9F
— Brad Michelson (@BradMichelson) October 2, 2023
In keeping with Lewis, SBF noticed Trump as making an attempt to undermine democracy in america, pondering he “belongs on the listing of existential dangers.”
Lewis spent greater than 70 days within the Bahamas on a dozen totally different journeys to go to SBF in 2022 and the pair grew to become shut. “I’d keep in spare bedrooms, so I had codes to each room together with the penthouse,” he instructed the WSJ.
Talking on the fallout following the collapse of FTX in November 2022, he mentioned:
“It was just like the aftermath of Pompeii. Garments and belongings left behind, frozen in time. Many headed to the airport leaving firm automobiles with the keys inside on the curb.”
Cointelegraph contacted authorized representatives for Sam Bankman-Fried and Donald Trump. Mark Botnik, who handles communications for the SBF case, mentioned there was no remark from his authorized workforce.
Associated: How lengthy may Sam Bankman-Fried go to jail for? Crypto legal professionals weigh in
In keeping with the trial schedule calendar launched final week, the high-profile Sam Bankman-Fried trial begins on Oct. 3 with jury choice. The trial begins on Oct. 4.
The trial will contain seven fraud instances in opposition to SBF, two substantive prices the place the prosecution should persuade the jury that Bankman-Fried dedicated the crime, and 5 different conspiracy prices.
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