The new book reveals Sam Bankman-Fried's irregular commitments and media relations.
A forthcoming book by Michael Lewis offers an intriguing look into Sam Bankman-Fried's personal and professional life. The book, "Going Infinite: The Rise and Fall of a New Tycoon," uncovers various aspects of Bankman-Fried's lifestyle and character.
An excerpt published in the Washington Post on October 1st revealed the former CEO's tendency to multitask during interviews, often engaging in video games like League of Legends, even while speaking with esteemed individuals like Anna Wintour, Vogue's editor-in-chief.
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According to Lewis, Bankman-Fried's lack of full attention wasn't due to disrespect but rather his need to keep his mind occupied with multiple activities. In the book, Lewis stated:
Sam didn't want to seem rude. It was just that he needed to be playing this other game at the same time as whatever game he had going in real life.
Bankman-Fried's frequent last-minute cancellations of high-profile events were also discussed in the book. Natalie Tien, who was FTX's head of public relations and acted as the CEO's scheduler, said Bankman-Fried treated his commitments as "less a plan than a theory."
Lewis elaborated that when people sought SBF's time, they mistakenly assumed it was a definitive commitment. Bankman-Fried, instead, would weigh and reweigh the expected value of each engagement, up to the moment of honoring it or not.
One notable example was Bankman-Fried's invitation to the Met Gala as a special guest by Anna Wintour, an opportunity he eventually bypassed. This distracted behavior seemed to extend to his rare public appearances as well, such as testifying before the US House Financial Services Committee and meeting Senator Mitch McConnell, where he was seen with his shoes untied despite wearing a suit.
In the backdrop of Bankman-Fried's impending criminal trial in New York, where he faces seven fraud-related charges tied to FTX and Alameda Research, various media, including podcasts and news features, have been spotlighting different facets of his life.
In a recent interview with 60 Minutes, Lewis disclosed that Bankman-Fried had even planned to bribe former US President Donald Trump to prevent him from running for office again, citing concerns over election integrity and democracy.
As Bankman-Fried prepares to stand trial in early October, Michael Lewis' soon-to-be-released book adds another layer to the complex persona of the man behind FTX. The timing of the book release coincides with jury selection for his criminal trial, fueling greater public interest in both the legal proceedings and the man at their center.
