TL;DR
- Sam Bankman-Fried has developed an unexpected bond with Sean “Diddy” Combs while serving his sentence at MDC in Brooklyn.
- Bankman-Fried, convicted for fraud, maintains his innocence and is appealing his 25-year prison sentence.
- Despite being in prison, Bankman-Fried finds solace in chess and a simple diet while navigating life behind bars.
Sam Bankman-Fried, the disgraced founder of the crypto exchange FTX, is currently serving time at the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn after his bail was revoked in August 2023.
He was sentenced to 25 years in prison after being convicted on multiple counts of fraud and conspiracy related to the collapse of his cryptocurrency empire. Despite the grim circumstances, Bankman-Fried shared that his time behind bars hasn’t been entirely negative.
Sam Bankman-Fried is doing 25 years behind bars, and is now sharing a cell block with Diddy. He joins us from prison for an update on his new life.
(0:00) What Has Prison Been Like?
(2:28) Was SBF Ever on Adderall?
(4:42) SBF Meeting Diddy in Prison
(7:01) How Prison Has Changed… pic.twitter.com/mNSNktLibg— Tucker Carlson (@TuckerCarlson) March 6, 2025
In a recent interview, Sam revealed that he has formed a “kind” relationship with hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, who is also incarcerated at MDC. Combs, arrested on charges of conspiracy and sex trafficking, shares a “barrack-style” living space with Bankman-Fried. The two, both high-profile figures in their respective fields, now spend time together in a setting that neither would have likely anticipated. Bankman-Fried humorously remarked that if someone had told him a few years ago that he would be hanging out with Diddy in prison, he would have been perplexed.
What Is Sam Bankman-Fried’s Life Like Behind Bars?
While their connection might seem unusual, it highlights the oddities of prison life, where unexpected bonds form. Bankman-Fried said that Combs has been “kind” to other inmates, providing a contrast to the often harsh and volatile environment of MDC. Although the facility can be tense, with occasional outbursts and fights among the inmates over trivial matters like food, Sam noted that his safety isn’t a significant concern.
Away from his interactions with Combs, Bankman-Fried keeps himself busy with activities such as playing chess with fellow inmates. Despite language barriers, these games offer him a mental escape from the monotony of prison life. His diet, however, remains simple and restricted, consisting mainly of rice, beans, and ramen, with muffins wrapped in plastic often serving as a form of currency among the prisoners.
Although Bankman-Fried maintains that he is not a criminal and continues to fight for his appeal, his time in prison has brought him into contact with a range of individuals, including Combs, making the best of a challenging situation
