Trump and the $5 Billion Proposal
In a twist that sounds more like a plot from a satirical novel than real life, former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried, colloquially known as SBF, reportedly entertained the idea of shelling out a whopping $5 billion to convince Donald Trump not to run for president. This revelation comes from Michael Lewis, whose new book, Going Infinite: The Rise and Fall of a New Tycoon, sheds light on the enigmatic world of crypto and its colorful characters.
Author Insights: The Mind of SBF
During a recent interview with 60 Minutes, Lewis described SBF’s thought process, saying, “That only shocks you if you don’t know Sam.” Apparently, for him, paying a former president to hit the brakes on a political campaign was just another day at the office. Lewis commented on SBF’s casual contemplation of such a large sum, stating, “Sam’s thinking that we could pay Donald Trump not to run for president […] like how much would it take?” In typical SBF fashion, the numbers were tossed around casually, with the figure of $5 billion being bandied about, although it remains unclear if that figure originated from Trump himself.
Legal Ramblings
Adding to the absurdity, SBF didn’t just have a loose change jar for this transaction; he was reportedly keen on exploring the legality of it all. Picture this: while the world was watching FTX crumble, SBF and his team were debating the legality of a $5 billion hush money deal. For a moment, it seemed SBF had his priorities completely scrambled.
The Fall of FTX: A Cryptic Catastrophe
As the shuttering of FTX became a reality, Michael Lewis vividly illustrated the chaos following the company’s collapse. He likened it to the aftermath of Pompeii, with personal belongings and company cars left in an almost eerie state—keys still in the ignition and clothes abandoned as if people had vanished into thin air. “It was like the aftermath of Pompeii. Clothes and belongings left behind, frozen in time,” Lewis narrated, painting a vivid image of the surreal landscape that characterized the FTX downfall.
Current Legal Fiascos
Fast forward to today, and SBF finds himself wrapped up in a legal jungle. Starting October 3, the high-profile trial begins, featuring seven fraud cases against him that could rival any courtroom drama. With charges ranging from substantive crimes to conspiracy, one can’t help but think if his legal team is considering a strategy involving that same $5 billion proposal as a bombshell revelation during jury selection.
Concluding Thoughts
As the world watches the trial unfold, the bizarre saga of Sam Bankman-Fried continues to enthrall and bewilder. Whether you view him as a rogue businessman or an idealist with questionable priorities, this intricate narrative of crypto collapse and political maneuvering will be hard to forget. And as for that proposal to Trump—not a bad idea, except for the minor detail that SBF didn’t exactly have the funds anymore!
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