Silk Road Founder Ross Ulbricht Thanks Trump in First Message After Pardon: ‘I am a Free Man Now’
Anjali Belgaumkar24 Jan 20253 min read
As President kicks off his second term, his approach to pardons has already sparked debate. Among these is the pardon of Ross Ulbricht, the convicted mastermind behind the Silk Road, an infamous online marketplace that facilitated the exchange of Bitcoin for illegal drugs and firearms. Ulbricht has long been regarded as a controversial figure. Since …
As President Donald Trump Donald Trump Donald J. Trump is a US-based business tycoon, pro-crypto politician, and 47th (present) President of the United States. He comprehends the significance and needs of the modern fintech world, and people look up to him as a dominant pro-crypto politician. Once doubtful about Bitcoin's dominance, he said in a tweet in 2019, “I am not a fan of Bitcoin", but now has a significant amount of cryptocurrency holdings in his pool. He has also signed an Executive Order to establish a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, which highlights his commitment to the future of cryptocurrency. Quick Facts Full name Donald John Trump Birth 14-06-1946, New York, United States Nationality American Education BS from the University of Pennsylvania Famous For Business, Politics Donald Trump - Career Highlights & Events 2016 – Elected as the 45th President of the United States from the Republican Party. 2017 – Signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, impacting investment environments 2019 – Slammed crypto king Bitcoin on X, calls it "not money". 2025 – A gala party was hosted by him for the top 220 Trump meme coin holders. President kicks off his second term, his approach to pardons has already sparked debate. Among these is the pardon of Ross Ulbricht, the convicted mastermind behind the Silk Road, an infamous online marketplace that facilitated the exchange of Bitcoin for illegal drugs and firearms.
Ulbricht has long been regarded as a controversial figure. Since his conviction, he has been championed by supporters, particularly within the cryptocurrency and libertarian communities, who see him as a victim of an overreaching government. Trump had previously pledged during his campaign to pardon Ulbricht, and he followed through on that promise, calling the sentence “ridiculous” during his announcement on Tuesday.
Ulbricht’s First Message: Gratitude and a New Beginning
His first message after receiving his pardon was filled with deep gratitude. He expressed how surreal it felt to be free after serving more than 11 years in prison, stating, “I was doing life without parole… but he let me out. I’m a free man now.” Ulbricht thanked President Trump for fulfilling his promise and described the pardon as an “amazing blessing,” one that gave him his life and future back.
Ulbricht also reflected on the significance of the moment, acknowledging it as a victory not just for him and his family, but for everyone who supported him over the years. “This is an important moment for everybody who loves freedom and cares about second chances,” he said, stressing how it felt to finally be free.
He expressed that the feeling was “overwhelming,” and noted that he would spend time reuniting with his family before diving into the bigger conversations ahead. “There’s a lot to talk about,” he added, expressing eagerness to re-engage with the world.
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