During the promotion of his newest book, Michael Lewis revealed that Sam Bankman-Fried wanted to pay Donald Trump $5 billion not to run for president in 2024. Specifically, The Big Short author told CBS’ 60 Minutes of the offer that was nearly made to the 45th US President regarding a reelection campaign.
Lewis is promoting his newest book, “Going Infinite: The Rise and Fall of a New Tycoon,” detailing the collapse of FTX and Bankman-Fried. Subsequently, the details of his potential offer to Trump are presented as one of its most shocking details.
Also Read: FTX Says Bankman-Fried’s Parents Got $16.8 Million in Stolen Funds
SBF Almost Paid Donald Trump to Not Run For President in 2024
The downfall of Sam Bankman-Fried and FTX is certainly one of the most prominent financial crime stories in US history. Subsequently, it has emerged as a source of intrigue for the nation at large. Now, Michael Lewis is telling the story in full within a brand new book about the exchange’s collapse.
In the promotion of that book, Lewis detailed that FTX co-founder Sam Bankman-Fried wanted to pay Donald Trump $5 billion not to run for president in 2024. Indeed, Lewis noted that the former CEO mulled how much it would take to deter the 45th president.
Also Read: FTX Co-Founder Sam Bankman-Fried Denied Release by Judge
“That only shocks you if you don’t know Sam,” Lewis told 60 Minutes. “Sam’s thinking, ‘We could play Donald Trump not to run for president. Like, how much would it take?” Thereafter, Lewis stated that the number that Bankman-Fried eventually arrived at was $5 billion. However, Lewis states that they don’t know where the figure came from.
“The question Sam had was not just, ‘Is $5 billion enough to make Trump not run?’ but ‘Was it legal?’” Lewis added. Ultimately, the conversions were still taking place when the company was collapsing. Subsequently, Lewis said the money wasn’t paid due to the company’s eventual bankruptcy.
