Sentenced to die in prison. Pardoned by President Trump after spending 4,130 days (11+ years) in max security. Freedom is sweet!
Joined June 2018
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Ten years ago to the day, I was sentenced to die in prison. Instead I gave my first public speech in freedom.
I wore a red tie as an homage to @realDonaldTrump, the man who saved my life.
Ross Ulbricht's Speech at Bitcoin 2025
On May 29th, 2025, Ross Ulbricht took the stage and delivered a powerful speech at the Bitcoin 2025 conference.
Had a vivid dream early this morning. I was sent back to prison on some technicality.
It felt so real that when I woke up, I really thought I was in a cell.
Then the truth hit me. I was next to my wife in our big comfy bed. Freedom washed over me all over again.
One year ago today, a prison guard banged on my cell door and said: YOU'RE FREE!!
After more than 11 years under a life sentence, I walked out of max security prison with Leaf Erikson, the plant I was growing in my cell.
Leaf and I are so grateful for our second chance at life.
These men created tools of freedom and financial independence. They wrote code and ran businesses. They are good people.
They were rewarded with federal prison sentences.
Keonne Rodriguez
William Hill
Ian Freeman
Roman Sterlingov
Roman Storm
Free the crypto prisoners.
more info here: cryptoprisoners.com
I get to spend today with my family. First Thanksgiving in freedom! SO much to be thankful for.
Enormous gratitude and thanks to all of you who made this a reality.
I make it a point to stay in touch with my friends who are still in prison. It meant so much to get mail, to know I was not forgotten.
It feels good to do for them what so many of you did for me.
There are times when I'm in the middle of doing something and I stop because it just hits me all over again:
DEAR GOD, I'M FREE!!!
That wave of disbelief and joy overcomes me, just like it did when I walked free the first time. I wonder if it'll ever go away?
Hey @KamalaHarris,
You called me "the fentanyl dealer" in your new book and attacked President Trump for freeing me after more than *ELEVEN* years in prison.
Yet, I wasn't prosecuted for dealing drugs myself and fentanyl wasn't part of my charges.
The truth has never mattered to you. The goal is just to make me and President Trump look bad at all cost, isn't it?
Don't be a sore loser, Kamala.
Like all of you, I am mourning Charlie Kirk. He stood up for his beliefs and died for them at 31, wearing a T‑shirt that read "Freedom."
At 31, my life was taken from me for standing up for what I believed in. And Charlie helped me get it back. He never took credit for it but he played a BIG role in my freedom in many ways. Last year alone, when President Trump won the election, he asked Charlie what was the #1 thing he could do for him and Charlie replied: "Free Ross." And in the days leading to my release, Charlie advocated for a full pardon. He did this and more without expectations of me.
I wish there was something I could do to help Charlie get his life back. But there isn't, and I'm heartbroken.
Charlie, I will always be grateful to you. Thank you for all you did for me and for our country. I pray for you and your beautiful family. Rest in peace.
What was done to Charlie Kirk today is truly awful.
Charlie, you were there for me when I needed you. I stand by you today and pray for your speedy recovery.
I've done 4 public appearances since May to thank all of you who supported me at my lowest.
For now I'm taking a break from public speeches. I'm soaking in this new life. It still feels surreal to be free.
I'm excited for all the opportunities ahead!
Holiday weekends hit different after 11 years in prison. They used to mean an extra visit day.
Now I get to spend Labor Day at home. I'm thinking of my friends and their families who are still in that visitation room. I feel so lucky I made it out.
Happy Labor Day, everyone!
The magic button... would you push it?
"The Magic Button" - Ross Ulbricht at SAS 2025 (7/12/2025)
Ross Ulbricht spoke at the Student Action Summit in Tampa, Fl. His speech centers on the harm caused by both drugs and the war on drugs, and the insights gained from his time in prison.
With a life sentence, wanting things to be different was incredibly frustrating and painful some days.
In this speech, I share what I learned in prison about desire and how, by giving it up, I eventually got what I wanted most: my freedom.
"The Desire Trap" - Ross Ulbricht at Porcfest 2025 (6/21/25)
In remarks to many of his earliest supporters, Ross shared what he learned in prison about desire and how, by giving it up, he eventually got what he wanted most: his freedom.
Six months ago yesterday, @realDonaldTrump signed my pardon papers. I got to walk free just a few hours later.
Feels like a lifetime of new experiences since then. So much gratitude and joy in my new life!
In a speech I just gave at @TheFreedomFest, I reveal the conditions I went through in federal prison. You need to know what's being done in your name behind locked doors.
Ross Ulbricht's Speech at Freedom Fest 2025
Ross Ulbricht's second public appearance since his release from prison. He spoke at Freedom Fest about the hardships that American prisoners face, titled "The Least Among Us", June 13th 2025.
This is the intro video my wife made that played before my speech at @TheBitcoinConf. It includes footage from after my release.
Lots of people told me they loved it. I hope you do too!