Michael Lewis: The founder of FTX wanted to bribe Donald Trump for $5B

Revelations from Michael Lewis: The Controversial Ties between FTX's Founder and Donald Trump

Unearthed connections between high-profile individuals can often shake the very foundation of public perception. Such is the case with the bombshell revelation from renowned American writer, Michael Lewis, concerning the founder of FTX, a major crypto exchange, and the former US President, Donald Trump.

According to Lewis's latest book, Going Infinite: The Rise and Fall of a New Tycoon, Sam Bankman-Fried, the once-celebrated CEO of FTX, had considered an audacious proposal. The businessman was reportedly willing to offer a staggering $5 billion to Donald Trump. But why such a hefty sum? The motive was to deter the former President from vying for the top office again, stemming from Bankman-Fried's conviction that Trump's actions were undermining US democracy.

However, this grand scheme never came to fruition. Interestingly, there was ambiguity regarding whether the said $5 billion figure originated from Trump or was simply an assumption on Bankman-Fried's part. While the FTX founder was actively researching legal pathways to formalize this offer, the downfall of his crypto exchange put an abrupt halt to these explorations.

Lewis, in his intensive research for the book, spent over 70 days in the Bahamas, frequently interacting with Bankman-Fried. These sessions, which totaled more than a hundred, aimed to develop either a book or a movie script encapsulating the dramatic chronicles surrounding FTX. The writer's exhaustive interviews extended to even conversing with Bankman-Fried's parents, shedding light on the deeper intricacies of the magnate's life.

One standout revelation from these interviews paints Bankman-Fried as a less than stellar leader. Several of those close to him, from friends to colleagues, voiced their opinion that he was ill-suited for leadership roles. Lewis underscores this point by highlighting the FTX founder's unconventional beliefs about leadership, particularly his idea that people shouldn't be commanded. Furthermore, there were revelations that raised questions about FTX's internal governance structure, with Bankman-Fried himself confessing to Lewis about board members whose sole responsibility was to sign papers.

In one of the book's more dramatic analogies, Lewis likens the aftermath of FTX's 2022 collapse to the historic obliteration of Pompeii by Vesuvius. Drawing vivid imagery, Lewis paints a scene of chaos, with possessions abandoned, and company vehicles deserted by employees making frantic dashes to the airport.

As the storm from these revelations continues to swirl, Bankman-Fried is on the brink of a major trial, slated for October 4. Facing multiple charges, including allegations of fraud, the ex-FTX chief has boldly challenged the US Justice Department's claims. Amidst this turmoil, voices from Bankman-Fried's past, like former Alameda Research engineer Adithya Baradwaj, have emerged to share insights about the embattled entrepreneur's passions and ideologies during FTX's more prosperous days.

As Michael Lewis's findings continue to captivate readers globally, the broader implications of these disclosures remain to be seen. What's undeniable is the indelible mark they've left on the crypto industry, politics, and public discourse at large. As events continue to unfold, the world will be watching closely.