Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder of FTX, unexpectedly made headlines with an interview given to Tucker Carlson while in prison. Following this development, Bankman-Fried’s crisis manager, Mark Botnick, announced his resignation, creating a significant stir. This resignation came shortly after Bankman-Fried’s second interview since his arrest, and many perceive it as part of his efforts to seek a presidential pardon in the wake of FTX’s collapse.
Sam Bankman-Fried and His Interviews
Since the $11 billion downfall of FTX in 2022, Bankman-Fried has participated in numerous interviews. While these interviews have invited more criticism towards him, they have also complicated his legal circumstances. Recently, he spoke to Tucker Carlson from Fox News, praising Donald Trump while criticizing the previous Biden administration.

Bankman-Fried also expressed an increasing interest in the Republican Party, suggesting a shift towards this party after his failed relationships with former SEC chair Gary Gensler. His statements have led to speculations about his plans to secure a presidential pardon.
Botnick Resigns Following Bankman-Fried’s Interview
Botnick, who had been supporting Bankman-Fried in crisis management after the collapse of FTX, was reportedly taken aback by his statements and social media posts during the recent surprise interview. Particularly, Bankman-Fried’s comments about the Trump administration’s attempts to fire federal employees seemed to trigger Botnick’s decision to resign.
Additionally, Bankman-Fried’s occasional social media announcements had previously put Botnick in challenging positions.