Nikolas Sargeant
Donald Trump has reiterated his support for Ross Ulbricht, the imprisoned founder of Silk Road, a once-thriving illegal online marketplace. The former president took to Truth Social to vow he would "save" Ulbricht if re-elected.
Trump's Commitment to Free Ulbricht
Trump shared a screenshot of Ulbricht's recent post marking the start of his 12th year in prison. Ulbricht wrote, "Here it is. The start of my 12th year in prison today. I intend to make the most of it and use my time wisely." Trump responded emphatically, "I WILL SAVE ROSS ULBRICHT!"
Ulbricht, now 39, was arrested in 2013 for creating Silk Road, a dark web platform that facilitated anonymous transactions of illegal drugs using Bitcoin. He is currently serving two life sentences plus 40 years without parole for charges including drug trafficking, money laundering, and computer hacking.
Debate Over Sentencing and Government Overreach
Trump's pledge has reignited discussions about the severity of Ulbricht's sentence and its implications for cryptocurrency and decentralized finance. Supporters argue that the punishment was disproportionate and represents government overreach aimed at stifling innovation in decentralized technologies. Critics, however, point to the substantial illegal drug trade that occurred on Silk Road as justification for the harsh sentence.
