Which rappers have asked Donald Trump for a criminal pardon?
During his presidency, Donald Trump has partnered with many rappers to gain the support of the people of the United States. As someone who can pardon those behind bars, hip-hop artists have often attempted to secure their freedom through the controversial figure.
Kanye West once showed his support for Trump before launching his own political party, paying a visit to the Oval Office in 2018 and having dinner at his Mar-a-Lago estate in 2022. The president described him as “really complicated” during a conversation with Adin Ross, but still complemented his intent. “He is a really nice guy but he can get himself into trouble and he can get some other people. But he’s got a good heart.”
In 2019, A$AP Rocky was arrested in Sweden and held without bail, prompting Trump to come to his defence on social media. Trump called for his freedom, claiming he was “very disappointed” in Sweden’s treatment of the African-American community. Once released, Trump wrote on X, “It was a Rocky Week, get home ASAP A$AP!”
“I was kinda scared that Trump was going to fuck it up,” Rocky said in his Stockholm Syndrome documentary. “But on the other hand, I kinda was like ‘That’s what’s up.’ I mean, you want the most support you [can]. When the president supports you, I felt good. For the most part, I don’t think he ever knows what’s going on in the urban communities or the urban divisions of this political shit.”
However, he called it a “chess” move on Trump’s part, claiming he didn’t do much. “They tried to strong-arm a lot and in reality, I had no problem saying ‘thank you’ to the man, especially if he helped me, but that was the narrative they were pushing — that he got me out. He didn’t free me. If anything, he made it a little worse.”
Trump also brought Lil Pump on stage during a rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 2020, pronouncing his name wrong. “Speaking of sound, music and other things, one of the big superstars of the world, Little Pimp,” he said. “There he is. How’s it going? You want to come up and say something? Come on, Little Pump, come on up here.”
Which rappers have asked Donald Trump for a criminal pardon?
Boosie Badazz has requested a pardon from Trump several times relating to his federal gun case in San Diego. “Trump check my case out,” he said on X. “My case was dismissed but Biden’s DOJ recharged me with the same gun charge Biden pardon his son of.”
He continued, “I was told I am the only person in the country facing that charge now. President Trump, I already was given a 10 year sentence n state n 2009 for 3rd offense marijuana (grams, grams, grams). I never was even offered rehab straight to prison.”
In the final hours of his first presidency in 2021, Trump pardoned Lil Wayne, who pleaded guilty to a federal weapons charge, and Kodak Black, who was charged with falsifying information on federal forms to buy firearms.
Wayne thanked Trump on social media, writing, “I want to thank President Trump for recognising that I have so much more to give to my family, my art, and my community. I also want to thank Bradford Cohen for working so diligently to secure another chance for me. Love!”
Kodak also showed his appreciation for Trump, saying, “I want to thank the president, Donald Trump, for his commitment to justice reform and shortening my sentence. I also want to thank everyone for their support and love. It means more than you will ever know. I want to continue giving back, learning and growing.”
Bradford Cohen, the attorney for both rappers, praised Trump, telling Rolling Stone, “President Trump and his administration have been tireless advocates on behalf of the African-American community. These pardons are a perfect example of this administration following up on its reforms and commitments.”