Ross Ulbricht, the creator of Silk Road, is currently serving a double life sentence plus 40 years without the possibility of parole for his role in establishing and operating the infamous dark web marketplace.
On October 1, Ulbricht began his 12th year in prison, marking the occasion by sharing a message through his family’s account on X (formerly Twitter). He wrote, “Today marks the beginning of my 12th year in prison. I plan to make the most of my time and use it wisely.”
Former President Donald Trump, in response, posted a screenshot of Ulbricht’s message on Truth Social, declaring, “I WILL SAVE ROSS ULBRICHT!”
This is not the first time Trump has expressed his support for Ulbricht. Earlier this year, at the Libertarian National Convention, he pledged to commute Ulbricht’s sentence on his first day in office if reelected. In a previous message on X, Ulbricht thanked Trump for this commitment, saying, “Last night, Donald Trump pledged to commute my sentence on day one if reelected. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. After 11 years in prison, it’s hard to put into words how I feel right now. It’s because of your unwavering support that I may have a chance at a new beginning.”
Many supporters argue that Ulbricht’s sentence is excessively harsh and advocate for clemency on his behalf. Notable figures, including billionaire venture capitalist Tim Draper, have been vocal in their support for Ulbricht’s release over the years. As Trump shifts his stance on cryptocurrencies ahead of the upcoming presidential election, his renewed focus on Ulbricht offers hope to both Ross and his advocates.