Elon Musk Opposes Presidential Pardon for Roger Ver
- Elon Musk believes Roger Ver should not receive a presidential pardon
- Ver, an early Bitcoin investor, is facing a 109-year prison sentence
- Jameson Loop from Casa shares Musk’s opinion on the matter
Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has expressed his opposition to granting a presidential pardon to Roger Ver, an early Bitcoin investor.
Musk, who is set to lead Trump’s DOGE agency, made his views public on social media platform X.
He stated, “Roger Ver gave up his US citizenship. No pardon for Ver. Membership has its privileges.”
Roger Ver gave up his US citizenship. No pardon for Ver. Membership has its privileges.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 26, 2025
On January 26, Ver made a plea to President Trump through a video message on X, seeking help to avoid a lengthy prison sentence. Ver emphasized his American citizenship and appealed to Trump’s commitment to justice.
Mr. President, I am an American, and I need your help. Only you, with your commitment to justice, can save me @realDonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/WhVTZ1M1GB
— Roger Ver (@rogerkver) January 26, 2025
Adding to Musk’s stance, Jameson Lopp, Casa’s CSO, responded on X, highlighting Ver’s renouncement of his American citizenship.
Clashing with US Authorities
Ver’s plea for a presidential pardon coincides with Trump’s recent pardon of Silk Road creator Ross Ulbricht, who was serving two life sentences plus 40 years without parole.
In 2014, Ver renounced his US citizenship and became a citizen of St. Kitts and Nevis. He was arrested in Spain in April 2024 on charges of tax fraud and evasion.
According to a 2024 US Department of Justice statement, Ver failed to disclose his Bitcoin holdings to the IRS, resulting in a loss of at least $48 million.
Ver claims to have been targeted by US government agents for his criticism and views it as retaliation.
Author Bret Weinstein sees Ver’s pardon as a signal of change in the government’s stance on cryptocurrency.