Former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried, often referred to as SBF, found himself in a morally and legally intricate situation when he contemplated offering Donald Trump a staggering $5 billion to dissuade him from running for president. This revelation comes from Michael Lewis, an author who is in the process of writing a book about the controversial founder's rise and fall.
In a recent interview with CBS, Lewis disclosed the existence of this extraordinary proposal. He mentioned, "There was a number that was kicking around. And the number that was kicking around when I was talking to Sam about this was $5 billion." SBF's motivation behind such an offer was driven by his belief that Trump posed an existential threat to the integrity of U.S. democracy.
However, SBF's grand plan to prevent Trump's presidential run was ultimately hindered by a series of setbacks. His cryptocurrency exchange empire collapsed, and doubts about the legality of such payments arose. The intriguing question remains whether such an audacious offer could have altered the course of American political history.
Michael Lewis delves deeper into SBF's character, describing him as a high-stakes gambler who struck gold by creating a cryptocurrency exchange. Lewis paints a picture of a crypto landscape rife with flaws, where exchanges often lack the professionalism and technology necessary to secure customers' investments. SBF's entrepreneurial insight led him to realize that building a superior crypto platform could be more lucrative than any gamble he had ever taken.
Lewis's forthcoming book, titled "Going Infinite: The Rise and Fall of a New Tycoon," is set to launch on October 3rd. Curiously, this date coincides with the commencement of SBF's trial, where he faces serious charges. Lewis describes his book as a unique perspective on the case, positioning it as a "kind of letter to the jury." With unprecedented access to SBF during the writing process, Lewis aims to present a story that stands out from both the prosecution and defense narratives.
While CBS characterizes Michael Lewis as a writer known for his ability to bring captivating personalities to life within complex stories, the potential impact of his book on SBF's court trial remains uncertain. If found guilty, SBF could potentially face several years in prison, and the release of this book adds a layer of intrigue to an already high-stakes legal battle.
As the book's launch date approaches, the public is left to wonder whether Sam Bankman-Fried's $5 billion offer to prevent a Trump presidential run was a desperate move by a concerned citizen or a high-stakes gamble that could have forever changed the course of history.
