Donald Trump has renewed his vow to free the jailed Silk Road founder, Ross Ulbricht, who commenced his 12th year in prison on October 1.
The 40-year-old communicated via his family on the X account he uses to draw attention to his situation and personal view.
A post on the social media platform read, “Today marks the beginning of my 12th year in prison. I plan to make the most of my time and use it wisely.”
That led to a response from the 45th POTUS vying to return to the White House in the upcoming presidential election later this year.
Trump took to his Truth Social platform, with a screenshot of Ulbricht’s X post, to declare, “I WILL SAVE ROSS ULBRICHT.”
This week, the Trump family also launched sign-ups for their crypto project, World Liberty Financial.
( @realDonaldTrump – Truth Social Post )
( Donald J. Trump – Oct 02, 2024, 5:53 PM ET )
I WILL SAVE ROSS ULBRICHT! pic.twitter.com/MVd1JmusN8
— Donald J. Trump TRUTH POSTS (@TruthTrumpPosts) October 2, 2024
Trump may be attempting to win the support of libertarian and crypto communities who have long called for Ulbricht’s release.
Earlier this year at the Libertarian National Convention, the presidential hopeful endured a mixed reaction, but he did receive wide acclaim with his pledge to exonerate Ulbricht.
“And if you vote for me, on Day One, I will commute the sentence of Ross Ulbricht,” he stated.
Silk Road and the emergence of Bitcoin
Trump’s high-profile remark reopens old debates over government overreach versus the goal of decentralization that Silk Road once championed.
It was the platform that catapulted Bitcoin into prominence and mainstream acceptance, but it also had an infamous underbelly which contributed to the FBI shutting it down in 2013.
Two years later Ulbricht was sentenced to a double life tariff plus 40 years in prison without the prospect of parole.
The Austin, Texas native was found to be responsible for the dark web portal from 2011 to 2013, which enabled users to spend Bitcoin and other digital currencies to acquire drugs, hacker tools, and other illicit materials.
Following his sentence, Preet Bharara, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, was unequivocal in his indictment on the Silk Road figurehead.
“Make no mistake, Ulbricht was a drug dealer and criminal profiteer who exploited people’s addictions and contributed to the deaths of at least six young people.”
Image credit: Via Ideogram
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