NBA YoungBoy Thanks Donald Trump After Receiving Presidential Pardon
NBA YoungBoy is once again a free man — and he’s giving credit where he believes it’s due.
The Baton Rouge rapper issued a public statement thanking President Donald Trump after receiving a presidential pardon for gun charges that had previously landed him behind bars.
“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 following the surprise move.
The controversial rapper had been sentenced to two years in prison on federal weapons charges, but was released in March to home arrest. He was still under conditions of probation — until now.
Trump has not publicly commented on his reasons for the pardon, but this isn’t his first time extending clemency to rap artists.
Back in 2021, Trump famously pardoned Lil Wayne and Kodak Black at the end of his first term in office. Kodak had been serving time on a weapons charge, with Trump citing the artist’s “philanthropic efforts.” Lil Wayne, facing similar charges, thanked the president for “recognizing that I have so much more to give to my family, my art, and my community.”
Wayne had publicly endorsed Trump during his 2020 re-election campaign, a move that shocked fans and critics alike.
The latest pardon for YoungBoy has sparked renewed speculation about how Trump may interact with hip-hop culture as he continues his term — especially with ongoing legal cases involving major artists.
There are already whispers about whether Diddy, who is currently facing a sex trafficking investigation, could be the next artist on Trump’s pardon radar if convicted. Diddy’s legal team has not responded to speculation.
Meanwhile, Suge Knight — currently incarcerated — recently praised Trump for “recognizing that I have so much more to give.”
As for NBA YoungBoy, he’s now free of restrictions and ready to return to music, fatherhood, and — clearly — the headlines.
