If you’re a wealthy person behind bars, it’s absolutely worth trying to score a presidential pardon or commutation right now. Donald Trump is handing them out like candy, with scores of fraudsters, crooks, thieves, and lowlives popping open the champagne as they stroll through the prison gates.
Now disgraced former Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes is shooting her shot. Holmes, 37, was sentenced to more than 11 years in prison in 2022 after being convicted of defrauding investors in relation to her blood-testing startup Theranos.
Theranos claimed they had the technology to diagnose a myriad of health conditions from a single drop of blood, they were supported and promoted by some of the world’s richest people, and were on the verge of installing Theranos blood testing stations in pharmacies.
The only problem was that they didn’t have the technology to do any of what they claimed. The whole affair collapsed into messy drama when Wall Street Journal reporter John Carreyrou exposed the truth, and, eventually, Holmes was tossed behind bars (albeit into a Club Fed-type prison where she appears to enjoy social media access).
We are continuing to fight for my innocence and we know the truth can not be repressed for ever. This is not over. The fight against weaponization of our justice system is just beginning. Follow me for updates. Going private again in 12 hours. https://t.co/tXDyLb9xvs
— Elizabeth Holmes (@ElizabethHolmes) January 22, 2026
Now the US Department of Justice has confirmed that she’s lodged her request for Trump to commute her sentence, with its current status listed as “pending”. At the time of sentencing, Holmes wasn’t expected to be released until the mid-2030s. That’s already been reduced, with her currently set to be freed on Dec. 20, 2031.
What’s a little massive medical fraud between friends?
It’s unclear whether Trump will grant her request. But, frankly, as someone convicted during the Biden administation if she just claims that she was “persecuted” by him and unfairly targeted due to her connections with prominent conservative figures, she’s probably in with a good chance of freedom.
A simple glance at the figures shows that Trump is practically throwing open the prison gates. Throughout the entirety of his first term, he issued just 237 pardons and commutations. We’re just a year into his second term, and he’s already freed or pardoned more than 1,600 people to date, with more added regularly.
If freed, what’s next for Holmes? Perhaps a return to ripping off elderly rich men? Maybe, but we suspect her likely future lies as a super-surprise contestant on The Masked Singer, or perhaps a controversial contestant on Dancing on Ice. One thing’s for sure, the idea that rich people should suffer, y’know, consequences for their crimes is over!
