NBA YoungBoy pardoned by Donald Trump
Donald Trump has officially pardoned NBA YoungBoy. The president of the United States announced his decision on May 28th, with the rapper (real name Kentrell Gaulden) being absolved of his crimes after pleading guilty to possessing weapons as a felon in December.
“I want to thank President Trump for granting me a pardon and giving me the opportunity to keep building — as a man, as a father, and as an artist,” YoungBoy said in a statement. “This moment means a lot. It opens the door to a future I’ve worked hard for and I am fully prepared to step into this.”
The move brings an end to more than five years of legal issues for the Baton Rouge artist, which have included federal weapons charges in multiple states.
His lawyer, Drew Findling, told The New York Times, “I am thrilled for Kentrell that his legal journey has come to a conclusion. From Louisiana to Utah the battles have been endless, and now he can concentrate on first and foremost his family, and then, of course, his amazing career.”
YoungBoy was promised that he would not be bound to the strict terms of his probation, involving travel issues and drug testing. His touring agent, Andrew Lieber, added, “He’s a fully free man now, with no travel restrictions. The world is at his fingertips.”
The news comes after the recent announcement of his NASA Tour, which will see him perform in 32 cities across North America in September and October.
This isn’t the first time Trump has pardoned a rapper, having previously pardoned Lil Wayne and Kodak Black in the final days of his first presidential term in 2021.