In a bold move to capture the Libertarian vote, former President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has vowed to commute the sentence of Ross Ulbricht, the founder of the Silk Road online marketplace. Addressing the Libertarian National Convention in Washington, D.C., Trump positioned himself as a pro-cryptocurrency advocate, promising to release Ulbricht if he wins the presidency.
Ulbricht, now 40, was convicted in 2015 for operating Silk Road, a platform where users exchanged Bitcoin and other virtual currencies for illegal drugs and hacking tools between 2011 and 2013. He is currently serving a life sentence. “If you vote for me, on day one I will commute the sentence of Ross Ulbricht,” Trump declared. “He’s already served 11 years. We’re gonna get him home.”
Trump’s speech marks his latest effort to expand his base ahead of a potential rematch with President Joe Biden in November. By appealing to Libertarian voters, Trump aims to neutralize the threat posed by third-party candidates. He pledged to appoint Libertarian party members to his Cabinet and other senior administration positions if elected.
The move to commute Ulbricht’s sentence could also endear Trump to pro-cryptocurrency political action committees, which are raising significant funds to support candidates who favor digital currencies. Many Libertarian members view Ulbricht as a martyr, evidenced by the numerous “Free Ross” signs displayed at the convention held at the Washington Hilton.
Trump has increasingly embraced pro-crypto policies. Earlier on Saturday, he posted on social media, stating he is “VERY POSITIVE AND OPEN MINDED TO CRYPTOCURRENCY COMPANIES, AND ALL THINGS RELATED TO THIS NEW AND BURGEONING INDUSTRY.” He emphasized that the United States should be a leader in the cryptocurrency field.
While Trump has not publicly outlined a detailed cryptocurrency policy, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, a potential top administration appointee if Trump wins the election, advocates for deregulating the industry. This position diverges from both Republican and Democratic stances, especially after the collapse of the FTX crypto empire and the subsequent fraud conviction of its founder, Sam Bankman-Fried. Members of both parties have called for increased oversight to protect consumers.
Trump’s appearance at the Libertarian convention is unusual, as the party intends to nominate its own presidential and vice-presidential candidates. Brian McWilliams, a spokesperson for the Libertarian Party, stated that the party does not plan to endorse Trump or collaborate with him. The convention crowd responded to Trump’s address with a mix of boos and cheers.
Despite the mixed reception, Trump has been courting Libertarians, acknowledging their consistent 3% voter base. “We have to get that 3%,” Trump said last week, emphasizing the importance of their support. A senior adviser from his campaign noted that while not everyone in the Libertarian audience supports Trump, reaching out to unconventional voter bases is crucial for victory.
Trump’s speech followed an address by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is running an independent campaign and has already qualified for the ballot in key states, including Michigan. Kennedy’s independent bid poses a threat to both major party candidates by potentially siphoning votes.
Even as Trump faces his first criminal trial involving hush-money payments, a recent Bloomberg News/Morning Consult poll shows him leading Biden among voters in seven swing states, 48% to 44%. This suggests that Trump’s unconventional campaign strategies, including his appeal to Libertarians, could be impacting voter preferences in critical regions.
