Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse Fires Back at New York Times Over David Sacks Allegations

Brad Garlinghouse isn't holding back. The Ripple CEO just launched a public counterattack against The New York Times, calling out the paper's reporting on venture capitalist David Sacks. It's a high-stakes clash between crypto leadership and legacy media—and the timing couldn't be more charged.

The Core of the Conflict

Garlinghouse's rebuttal cuts straight to the heart of what he sees as flawed journalism. He bypasses vague criticism and targets specific claims, framing the episode as part of a broader pattern of mainstream media misunderstanding the digital asset space. The move signals a new phase of aggressive public relations from crypto executives tired of playing defense.

A Calculated Industry Move

This isn't just about one article. Garlinghouse's public call-out serves a dual purpose: defending a prominent figure in the tech investment community while reinforcing Ripple's position as a sector leader willing to challenge institutional narratives. It turns a media critique into a platform statement.

The response highlights the growing confidence—and perhaps impatience—of crypto founders as regulatory landscapes shift. They're no longer content to let traditional outlets shape the conversation unchallenged. After all, why trust a newspaper's take on blockchain innovation when its business model still relies on... well, newspapers.

Garlinghouse's strike against the Times reveals more than a dispute over facts. It exposes the widening gap between how crypto builds value and how old-guard institutions perceive it. The next move belongs to the press—but in this arena, the networks move faster than the headlines.

TLDR

• Garlinghouse supported Sacks, calling the NYT article misleading and unfair.

• NYT claimed Sacks used his role to benefit tech interests.

• Sacks denies all allegations and released a legal letter disputing the story.

• Four tech leaders criticized NYT’s reporting as politically motivated and biased.

Brad Garlinghouse, CEO of Ripple, voiced support for David Sacks after a New York Times article questioned Sacks’ conduct as the White House AI and crypto adviser. In a post on X, Garlinghouse called out the paper for allegedly ignoring clear evidence that contradicted its story.

He responded to a thread by Jason Calacanis, who also defended Sacks and claimed the investigation found no wrongdoing. “Finally, I found something that Jason and I agree on,” Garlinghouse wrote, referring to what he described as a “shameful” headline by the NYT.

Sacks has served in a high-profile advisory role under the current administration, working on digital asset and AI policy. The article suggested Sacks used this position to benefit personal investments in crypto and AI startups, but both he and his supporters argue there is no evidence to support these claims.

David Sacks Rejects All Allegations in Detailed Response

David Sacks addressed the allegations in a long statement on X, calling the story a “nothing burger.” He claimed five New York Times reporters spent months pursuing what he described as false accusations. These included suggestions that he influenced policy to benefit his associates and companies in his portfolio.

The article titled “Silicon Valley’s Man in the WHITE House Is Benefiting Himself and His Friends” raised questions about Sacks’ role in easing export controls on chips, his support for specific legislation, and his involvement in private deals. Sacks denied all allegations and posted a letter from legal firm Clare Locke, which he hired to manage communications with the NYT during the reporting process.

He stated that every time one claim was disproved, the newspaper shifted focus to a new topic. Sacks argued that the story relied on anecdotes that did not support its headline and criticized the outlet for refusing to adjust its framing even after receiving detailed rebuttals.

Industry Voices Push Back Against NYT Story

Several high-profile figures in the tech and crypto industries also expressed concern about the article. Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong called the NYT a “political propaganda machine,” while praising specific segments of the outlet such as Dealbook for maintaining journalistic standards.

Jason Calacanis, who co-hosts the All-In podcast with Sacks, listed multiple reasons why he believes the article was misleading. He noted that the podcast reportedly lost money on events that supported political causes and highlighted that Sacks had divested 99% of holdings tied to his public role.

Calacanis described Sacks as a “by-the-book” figure and suggested that the investigation found no substantial wrongdoing. These statements were echoed by Garlinghouse, who appeared to share their frustration with the article’s conclusions.

Scrutiny Continues as Crypto Policy Gains Attention

The NYT article also noted that Sacks’ government position boosted the visibility of his podcast and that some of his portfolio companies stood to benefit from policies he supported. These claims have drawn broader attention due to the growing role of AI and crypto regulation in Washington.

Critics of the NYT piece argue that it lacked context and downplayed Sacks’ divestments and compliance efforts. Supporters also believe the article failed to acknowledge ongoing regulatory changes under the current administration, which may have led to misinterpretation of routine government actions.

As of now, no formal inquiry or regulatory investigation has been announced related to the article’s claims. However, the public exchange between Sacks, Garlinghouse, and other leaders has intensified discussion about media responsibility in covering emerging tech policy.