Elon Musk Says Ross Ulbricht Will Get the Keys to the White House

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Hey, have you heard the one about Elon Musk and Ross Ulbricht? 🤣 It’s a real gas, folks! Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has lit the fuse on speculation about a potential presidential pardon for Ross Ulbricht, the founder of the Silk Road darknet marketplace.

Musk tweeted, and we mean, really tweeted, “Ross will be freed too” on January 21, 2025. Now, we know what you’re thinking, “Is this a joke, Elon?” But no, folks, this is serious business. Or is it? 😂

Trump’s Campaign Promise: The Ultimate Punchline

Remember when Donald Trump was running for president? Yeah, that was a real joke. Anyway, during his campaign in May 2024, Trump promised to commute Ulbricht’s sentence on his first day in office. And by “commute,” we mean, “make a really big promise that he’ll probably break.” 😜

But wait, there’s more! Trump said, “If you vote for me, on Day 1, I will commute the sentence of Ross Ulbricht to a sentence of time served. He’s already served 11 years, we’re gonna get him home.” Yeah, because that’s exactly what you want in a president – someone who makes promises they can’t keep. 🤣

Despite this promise, no official pardon was issued on Inauguration Day. However, Angela McArdle, chair of the Libertarian National Committee, announced that President Trump’s staff confirmed Ulbricht’s pardon would be issued late on January 21 or the following morning. We’re not sure what’s more surprising, the fact that Trump’s staff confirmed anything or that they actually kept their promise. 🤔

Pres. Trump’s staff just confirmed to me Ross’s pardon will be issued late tonight or tomorrow morning. ❤️

— Angela McArdle (@angela4LNCChair) January 21, 2025

Now, let’s talk about Ross Ulbricht, the founder of the Silk Road. He was like the original Bitcoin bro, minus the beard and the whole “not going to jail” thing. 🤣 Ulbricht founded the Silk Road in 2011, an online black market on the dark web that facilitated the sale of illicit goods, including drugs, using Bitcoin. Yeah, because that’s exactly what we need more of – online black markets. 🤦‍♂️

On October 1, 2013, Ulbricht was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) at a public library in San Francisco. We’re not sure what’s more surprising, the fact that he was arrested or that he didn’t get a participation trophy for trying. 🏆

In February 2015, after a four-week trial, he was convicted on seven charges, including conspiracy to commit money laundering, conspiracy to commit computer hacking, and conspiracy to traffic narcotics. On May 29, 2015, US District Judge Katherine B. Forrest sentenced Ulbricht to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Yeah, because that’s exactly what we need more of – life in prison without parole. 🤯

Controversy and Advocacy for Pardon: The Ultimate Soap Opera

Ulbricht’s sentencing has been a subject of controversy, with many arguing that his punishment was excessively harsh compared to others involved in similar crimes. Yeah, because that’s exactly what we need more of – controversy and soap operas. 📺

Supporters, including libertarians and crypto advocates, have long campaigned for a presidential pardon, contending that he was unfairly punished as a first-time, non-violent offender. Yeah, because that’s exactly what we need more of – libertarians and crypto advocates. 🤦‍♂️

The anticipation of a pardon has intensified following President Trump’s inauguration, with prediction markets estimating a high probability of Ulbricht’s release. We’re not sure what’s more surprising, the fact that prediction markets exist or that they actually work. 🤯

Data from Polymarket indicates that 99% of participants believe Trump will grant Ulbricht a pardon within his first 100 days in office. Additionally, bettors are speculating on a potential pardon for Roger Ver, a well-known Bitcoin Cash (BCH) proponent, and early Bitcoin investor, who was charged with tax fraud in April 2024. The market currently assigns a 32% probability of Ver receiving clemency within the same timeframe. Yeah, because that’s exactly what we need more of – tax fraud and clemency. 🤦‍♂️

A Presidency Pardon: The Ultimate Joke

While the crypto community eagerly awaits Ulbricht’s pardon, President Trump has already issued an executive order granting clemency to 1,500 individuals connected to offenses related to the events at or near the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. Yeah, because that’s exactly what we need more of – executive orders and clemency. 🤯

Trump made the announcement from the Oval Office yesterday during his inauguration as the 47th President of the United States. We’re not sure what’s more surprising, the fact that Trump was inaugurated or that he actually showed up to work. 🤣

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2025-01-21 13:12