Comedian and podcaster Dave Smith publicly urged President-elect Donald Trump to fulfill a promise to release Ross Ulbricht, the convicted founder of Silk Road, following Trump’s recent election victory.
In a recent appearance on “The Joe Rogan Experience,” Smith emphasized that many in the Libertarian community, including himself, supported Trump based on this commitment and are looking to see the promise kept.
Smith addressed Trump directly, saying, “President-elect Donald Trump came to the Libertarian Party Convention this year, and he promised a whole bunch of people, myself included, that he was going to free Ross Ulbricht on day one.” He continued, stressing the personal toll the case has taken on Ulbricht and his family, stating that “this kid has done over a decade in jail already. He was guilty of creating a website… it’s been over 10 years.”
In response, host Joe Rogan acknowledged the controversies surrounding Ulbricht’s case, suggesting that “it seems like he was railroaded,” to which Smith responded emphatically, “100%.” He clarified that Ulbricht was accused of serious offenses, including a murder-for-hire plot, which were ultimately withdrawn, with Ulbricht receiving a life sentence without parole solely for his role in the creation of a darknet marketplace.
Ulbricht’s story has become a focal point for debates around internet freedom, drug policy, and the judicial system. Launched in 2011, Silk Road allowed users to buy and sell goods anonymously using cryptocurrency, including illegal drugs, which led to federal scrutiny.
Ulbricht, known online as “Dread Pirate Roberts,” was arrested in 2013 and charged with operating the site. Despite the absence of violent charges, he received a life sentence in 2015 for his role in maintaining the site, a punishment some critics, including Smith, believe was overly harsh and politically motivated.
Smith’s call for Ulbricht’s release underscores the ongoing debate surrounding the ethical and legal ramifications of the Silk Road case. “They accused him of murder, but they withdrew that charge,” Smith explained. “He’s got life without parole for making a website.”
Trump’s engagement with Libertarian voices has drawn significant attention this election cycle, with many Libertarian voters rallying behind him partly due to his commitments to reform certain aspects of the criminal justice system. In his campaign, Trump signaled an openness to reviewing controversial cases, including Ulbricht’s, as part of a broader criminal justice reform agenda.
Smith reminded the president-elect that this particular case has deeply impacted Ulbricht’s family, saying, “I’ve just gotten to know his mother, Lyn, over the years, and she’s like the sweetest lady. Her whole life has been a nightmare for the last 11 years or whatever it’s been.”
Supporters of Ulbricht argue that his case is emblematic of an outdated approach to online privacy and cryptocurrency, especially as the legal and cultural landscape around digital privacy has evolved. Calls for Ulbricht’s release have circulated in various political communities, where advocates view his sentence as excessive given the non-violent nature of his crime.
Trump’s approach to fulfilling this commitment could signal a potential shift in how future cases involving online activity and non-violent offenses are approached under his administration.
Smith concluded his message to Trump by reiterating the importance of following through on the commitment to pardon Ulbricht, stating, “Just really please come through on that one.”
His plea reflects a growing sentiment among Libertarian supporters and criminal justice reform advocates who view Ulbricht’s release as an opportunity to re-evaluate the boundaries of internet freedom and judicial proportionality.