When the cryptocurrency exchange FTX was on the rise, Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder of the company, communicated extensively with the public through tweets, TV interviews, and appearances before Congress. However, during his fraud trial in Manhattan, his previous words have come back to haunt him. In court, a federal prosecutor bombarded Bankman-Fried with questions, revealing inconsistencies between his public statements and the way he ran his crypto empire before its collapse. Bankman-Fried, dressed in a light gray suit and purple tie, responded with curt “yeps” or “nos,” claiming that he couldn’t remember much of what he had previously said publicly. The cross-examination exposed cracks in his claims and potentially damaged his credibility with the jury. The trial has attracted attention as it highlights hubris and reckless risk-taking in the crypto industry. Bankman-Fried has been charged with orchestrating a scheme to steal billions from FTX customers and could face a life sentence if convicted. The trial has also seen three of his closest associates plead guilty to fraud and testify against him. Bankman-Fried took the stand to defend himself, portraying himself as a hardworking founder overwhelmed by his responsibilities. However, during the prosecution’s questioning, they focused on his past statements in interviews, congressional testimony, and on Twitter, highlighting inconsistencies and suggesting that his public image was a performance. Despite some concessions made during his testimony, Bankman-Fried frequently claimed he couldn’t remember specific details or statements attributed to him by reporters. The trial is ongoing, with Bankman-Fried expected to return to the stand for further testimony.