Ross Ulbricht breaks silence after 'amazing blessing' of being pardoned by President Trump: 'There's a lot to talk about'
Ross Ulbricht – the founder of the infamous Silk Road dark web marketplace – has broken his silence since leaving prison after being pardoned by President Donald Trump.
Ulbricht created the dark web marketplace Silk Road in 2011, where federal authorities said users were able to buy and sell illegal drugs and other unlawful goods and services.
'I am so, so grateful to have my life back, to have my future back, to have this second chance.'
The feds busted Ulbricht, and he has been in prison for more than 11 years. He was convicted of distributing narcotics, distributing narcotics by means of the internet, conspiring to distribute narcotics, engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise, conspiring to commit computer hacking, conspiring to traffic in false identity documents, and conspiring to commit money laundering.
Ulbricht – a first-time offender – was sentenced to a double life sentence plus 40 years at a maximum-security prison in Arizona.
As Blaze News reported this week, Trump pardoned Ulbricht to end his nightmare.
"I just called the mother of Ross William Ulbright [sic] to let her know that in honor of her and the Libertarian Movement, which supported me so strongly, it was my pleasure to have just signed a full and unconditional pardon of her son, Ross," Trump declared.
Lyn Ulbricht – the mother of Ross – has been working tirelessly for over a decade to get her son released from prison.
"The scum that worked to convict him were some of the same lunatics who were involved in the modern-day weaponization of government against me," Trump added. "He was given two life sentences, plus 40 years. Ridiculous!"
On Thursday, the Free Ross account on the X social media platform shared a video of Ulbricht expressing how grateful he was for President Trump.
Ulbricht began, "I was doing life without parole, and I was locked up for more than 11 years, but he let me out, I'm a free man now. So let it be known that Donald Trump is a man of his word."
"Thank you so much, President Trump, for giving me this amazing blessing," Ulbricht said. "I am so, so grateful to have my life back, to have my future back, to have this second chance."
"This is such an important moment for me and for my whole family. It's an important moment for everyone who has been working for this for years," stated Ulbricht – who operated under the pseudonym "Dread Pirate Roberts," a reference to "The Princess Bride" movie.
Ulbricht continued, "This is a victory, and it's your victory, too. And this is an important moment for everybody, everywhere, who loves freedom and who cares about second chances."
"So it feels amazing to be free, to say the least. It's overwhelming and for the next however long we need, I'm going to be with my family, so that we can reunite and be whole again and heal," Ulbricht said.
He concluded, "But there's a lot to talk about, and I look forward to re-engaging with the free world. And so, once I'm feeling up to it, we'll talk again."
Ross wrote on X, "The past 36 hours have been a complete whirlwind and we keep pinching ourselves to make sure we're not dreaming. So much gratitude, love, and hope for what's to come. Thank you for all your messages! We can't reply to everyone but know it means so much to us."
The release of Ulbricht was a top issue with supporters of the Libertarian Party.
Trump recognized the political worth of the issue and vowed to commute the sentence of Ulbricht if he were elected during his appearance at the Libertarian National Convention in May.
Libertarian National Committee Chair Angela McArdle described Ulbricht as "a libertarian political prisoner for more than a decade."
“I’m proud to say that saving his life has been one of our top priorities and that has finally paid off,” McArdle stated.
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) stated, "I've always been a believer in fair and appropriate punishment. Donald Trump went to libertarians and he said, ‘I want your vote and I'll free Ross Ulbricht,’ and he kept his promise. All I can say is thank you, Donald Trump."
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) said, "Ross Ulbricht has been freed by President Trump with a full pardon! Thank you for keeping your word to me and others who have been advocating for Ross’ freedom, Mr. President!"
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'The barbarians are at the gates': Libertarian Party of New Hampshire snubs own candidate to endorse Trump
The Libertarian Party of New Hampshire — the self-described most libertarian party in the most libertarian state — snubbed its party's own candidate to endorse former President Donald Trump.
The Libertarian Party of New Hampshire rejected the Libertarian Party's presidential candidate, Chase Oliver, and instead endorsed Trump in the 2024 election. Oliver is a progressive libertarian on several key issues.
'The barbarians are at the gates. We must make sure that New Hampshire continues to repel progressives, socialists, communists, and leftists of all stripes.'
"There is, technically, a Libertarian on the ballot," the LPNH said of Oliver. "This Libertarian spends his time supporting tax-funded trans surgery for prisoners, advocating for literal murderers, and trying to kick our members out of the Libertarian Party entirely. We cannot support him, and he cannot win."
According to the RealClearPolitics average of polls, Oliver is polling at 0.8%.
The Libertarian Party of New Hampshire noted that the endorsement of Trump "was not a light decision" but added, "We feel it is the right one for ourselves, for our children, and for the best future of a Free State of New Hampshire."
The political group admitted that Trump is not a libertarian but stressed the Republican was "the best candidate for libertarians."
The Libertarian Party of New Hampshire pointed out that Trump promised to commute the sentence of Ross Ulbricht — the founder of the online illegal drug marketplace Silk Road — during his appearance at the Libertarian National Convention in May.
It also highlighted that Trump started no new wars — a first in over three decades.
The Libertarian Party of New Hampshire touted that Trump could appoint libertarian icon Ron Paul, as well as Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, to reduce the size of the federal government.
The group applauded Trump's proposal to end the Department of Education.
The statement by the LPNH posted to the X social media platform highlighted that Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) – whom it describes as one of the "greatest libertarians in America" — gave his endorsement of Trump last month.
Massie said last month, "I want to be part of the alignment that puts the focus back on regular people instead of corporations and bureaucracy. One of the other pressing issues of our day is that our meddling overseas has put us on the brink of war, and I believe Trump is the only one who can pull us back from that. For these reasons and those mentioned in my endorsement, I came to the conclusion that this presidential election is too important for me not to weigh-in on."
Trump and Massie butted heads in March 2020 when the former president called for the Kentucky representative to be thrown out of the Republican Party. Trump did endorse Massie in the 2022 election.
The Libertarian Party of New Hampshire was excited that Trump welcomed Bitcoin and cryptocurrency.
The libertarian group was also interested in Trump's "flirting" with the elimination of individual income taxes.
"Trump promises much and we are skeptical of promises from politicians," the group said.
The Libertarian Party of New Hampshire then warned about the dangers of the Democrats winning the 2024 presidential election.
"However, we know for certain what the Democrat alternative is: more socialism, more censorship, more taxes, more authoritarianism," the statement read.
"The barbarians are at the gates. We must make sure that New Hampshire continues to repel progressives, socialists, communists, and leftists of all stripes," the LPNH stated. "New Hampshire, being the only red state in a blue New England, helps achieve that goal. For these reasons and more, the most popular Libertarian state affiliate in the country is endorsing Donald Trump for President. Now get out there and vote!"
The last time a Republican presidential candidate won New Hampshire was in 2000.
President Joe Biden won the state by 7% in 2020.
Trump lost New Hampshire to Hillary Clinton in 2016 by fewer than 3,000 votes.
Prominent libertarian and stand-up comedian Dave Smith also recently announced that he was supporting Trump in the 2024 election.
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Leftists completely lose it after Aaron Rodgers says Ayn Rand's 'Atlas Shrugged' is on his bookshelf: 'Trade him. F*** it.'
Aaron Rodgers — superstar quarterback of the Green Bay Packers — continues to cause fits among leftists far and wide.
From the moment he called out hypocrite politicians who don't obey their own COVID-19 mandates a year ago to his more recent takedowns of the "woke mob" and "cancel culture" — particularly with regard to vaccines — and his revelation that he consulted with podcaster Joe Rogan for COVID-19 treatment after contracting the virus a few months ago, the free-thinking Rodgers has been rising fast on the left's most-hated list.
And on Monday night, he gave them another reason to froth at the mouth.
What happened?
Rodgers was a guest on Monday Night Football's "ManningCast" — during which brothers and ex-NFL quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning discuss the game at hand — and the subject of what Rodgers reads came up.
The quarterback, who led the Packers to the top NFC playoff position with their Sunday win over the Minnesota Vikings, told the Manning brothers he reads "a lot of French poetry" and then pointed at a bookshelf behind him and said he's "got 'Atlas Shrugged' by Ayn Rand over here."
Aaron Rodgers, from a justified hater of awful Scott Walker to \u2026 having \u201cAtlas, Shrugged\u201d from nutty Ayn Rand. \n\nYIKES.pic.twitter.com/82GlB5YYiu— TWDTV (@TWDTV) 1641269851
Fighting words!
Rand and particularly "Atlas Shrugged" increasingly over the last decade or so have become favorite targets of the militant left, who say the author and her famous book espouse a me-first ideology. But fans counter that Rand's writings inspire and uphold individual freedom.
And just like clockwork, leftists jumped all over Rodgers for what's on his reading list.
Philadelphia Inquirer sports columnist Marcus Hayes appeared to lead the charge as he mocked the QB:
Aaron Rodgers brags he has Ayn Rand\u2019s \u201cAtlas Shrugged\u201d on his bookshelf.\n\nExplains everything.pic.twitter.com/fYHmGeY7FX— Marcus Hayes (@Marcus Hayes) 1641270066
The Palmer Report offered the following brutal take:
Aaron Rodgers just bragged that he has Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged on his bookshelf. Explains all his lying about being vaccinated and such. He's one of those "screw everyone else before they can screw you" wackos. People like this are always a danger to others.— Palmer Report (@Palmer Report) 1641273196
Others followed suit in bashing the quarterback:
- "Pre-college, I had an [opportunity] to read Atlas Shrugged, write an essay, and have a chance at $10,000. I thought, 'easy money!' Until I started to read it. Long story short: I took out college loans instead of subjecting myself to any more of that drivel," one commenter said.
- "The least surprising news ever is that smug, faux smart guy Aaron Rodgers’ favorite book is Atlas Shrugged," another user noted. "What a tool."
- "Bragging about 'Atlas Shrugged' is something emotionally crippled undergraduates do, which....explains a lot about Aaron Rodgers, who is of course in his late 30s," another commenter said.
- "It's been very difficult watching Aaron Rodgers, my all-time favorite player, embrace everything I loathe. But Atlas Shrugged? Trade him. F*** it," another user declared.
But not every observer agreed with the left-wing talking points.
- Conservative commentator and radio host Jason Rantz shot back at Hayes: "If only Aaron Rodgers had some Ibram X. Kendi book, woke Twitter wouldn’t pretend to be upset."
- Brigitte Gabriel, another conservative figure, remarked: "Just incredible, Aaron Rodgers bragged about having Ayn Rand's 'Atlas Shrugged' on his bookshelf. This man is a PATRIOT!"
- Jim Hanson, author and executive director of America Matters, gave "kudos" to Rodgers: "Atlas Shrugged is ponderous but everyone should read it. It's a brilliant contrast of statism v. individualism. It perfectly captures the dismal failure of leftist rule & points to a choice: Live for the state or yourself. I chose me."
- And John Ziegler — senior columnist for Mediaite and a self-described "conservative/libertarian" — mocked the left's reaction to Rodgers: "Actually, Atlas Shrugged really DOES explain everything ... Damn, Aaron Rodgers really triggered the woke crowd, tonight!"
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