Former FTX Co-CEO Ryan Salame Appears to Campaign for Trump Pardon From Prison
Ryan Salame, the former co-CEO of FTX, is actively campaigning for a presidential pardon from Donald Trump while serving a 90-month prison sentence for campaign finance violations. His social media posts, which are likely managed by third parties, align closely with Republican values and criticize Democratic policies, suggesting a strategy to gain favor with Trump. This situation highlights the intersection of crypto controversies and political dynamics, raising questions about the influence of high-profile inmates on public discourse.
Former Ryan Salame, a onetime co-CEO of FTX, has launched a highly visible social media campaign that appears aimed at securing a presidential pardon from Donald Trump, despite currently serving a federal prison sentence. Over recent weeks, Salame’s X account has posted a stream of politically charged messages praising Republican priorities, attacking Democrats, and aligning closely with Trump’s rhetoric on immigration enforcement and election integrity. Salame Posts a Series of Tweets to Align Himself Close to Donald Trump’s Policies. Source: X/@rsalame7926 Getting on Donald Trump’s Good Side In one post, Salame said that if granted clemency, he would “spend the remainder of my sentence working as an ICE agent,” a comment that quickly went viral. In another, he argued voter ID laws were being misrepresented and suggested that funding IDs would “end the Democrats’ fake pretending” about voter suppression. If I am granted clemency I promise to spend the remainder of my sentence working as an ICE agent— Ryan Salame (@rsalame7926) February 2, 2026 He is also promising to pay for legal citizens to get IDs to vote, for those who can’t afford. Only if he were free. How is Salame Posting From Prison? Salame is currently serving a 90-month federal sentence at a medium-security US Bureau of Prisons facility. In 2023, he pleaded guilty to campaign finance violations and operating an unlicensed money-transmitting business connected to FTX. But how is he constantly posting on X from prison? Federal inmates are prohibited from accessing social media directly. As a result, his posts are widely understood to be published via third parties acting on his behalf, typically based on phone calls, written correspondence, or pre-approved messaging — a common workaround used by high-profile inmates. Attacking Prosecutors, Echoing Trump Themes Several posts directly attack federal prosecutors, including claims that he was coerced into a plea deal and that the Department of Justice misle...
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