‘I am a Free Man Now’

As President Donald Trump Donald Trump Donald Trump is an American former president politician, businessman, and media personality, who served as the 45th president of the U.S. between 2017 to 2021. Trump earned a Bachelor of science in economics from the University of Pennsylvania in 1968. Trump won the 2016 presidential election as the Republican Party nominee against Democratic Party nominee Hillary Clinton while losing the popular vote. As president, Trump ordered a travel ban on citizens from several Muslim-majority countries, diverted military funding toward building a wall on the U.S.–Mexico border, and implemented a family separation policy. Trump has remained a prominent figure in the Republican Party and is considered a likely candidate for the 2024 presidential election 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. 

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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.