Michaela Alvez
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has stated that Ross Ulbricht, the founder of the notorious Silk Road marketplace, will be granted a presidential pardon by President Donald Trump.
In reply to a comment on X asking President Trump to pardon Ulbricht, Musk appeared to confirm that the Silk Road founder would be granted clemency. “Ross will be freed too,” Musk stated simply.
During his election campaign, Trump promised to “commute the sentence” of Ulbricht “on day one.” However, despite Trump’s signing of multiple executive orders in the Oval Office after his inauguration, Ulbricht has not yet received official confirmation regarding the commutation of his prison sentence.
Ross Ulbricht may have his prison sentence reduced, but there is also the possibility of receiving a full pardon from the president, granting him complete forgiveness.
Angela McArdle, chair of the Libertarian National Committee (LNC), revealed that Ulbricht is expected to be granted a presidential pardon within the next two days. “Pres. Trump’s staff just confirmed to me Ross’s pardon will be issued late tonight or tomorrow morning,” McArdle wrote in a post on X.
Ulbricht’s Silk Road
In 2015, Ulbricht was sentenced to life in prison for his involvement in running the Silk Road. While he was not convicted of directly causing harm, he was found guilty of enabling illegal activities on the platform.
Ulbricht faced charges including conspiracy to commit money laundering, computer hacking, and conspiracy to traffic narcotics. The court cited six drug-related deaths linked to transactions on the platform, as well as five murder-for-hire attempts, as factors contributing to his harsh sentence.
Since his conviction, he has publicly expressed regret for his actions and is said to have focused on personal growth and rehabilitation during his time in prison. A number of his supporters have actively criticized the harshness of his sentence.
In May 2024, after Trump’s promise, Ross Ulbricht took to Twitter to express his heartfelt gratitude for the ongoing support he has received and to share his reaction to the president’s commitment. “Last night, Donald Trump pledged to commute my sentence on day 1, if reelected. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. After 11 years in prison, it is hard to express how I feel at this moment. It is thanks to your undying support that I may get a second chance,” the Silk Road founder shared in an X post.
Read More
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Michaela has no crypto positions and does not hold any crypto assets. This article is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. The Shib Magazine and The Shib Daily are the official media and publications of the Shiba Inu cryptocurrency project. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial adviser before making any investment decisions.
