Donald Trump pardons rapper NBA YoungBoy
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Gabe Whisnant is a Breaking News Editor at Newsweek based in North Carolina. Prior to joining Newsweek in 2023, he directed daily publications in North and South Carolina. As an executive editor, Gabe led award-winning coverage of Charleston church shooter Dylan Roof's capture in 2015, along with coverage of the Alex Murdaugh double murder trial. He is a graduate of the University of North Carolina-Wilmington. You can get in touch with Gabe by emailing g.whisnant@newsweek.com. Find him on Twitter @GabeWhisnant.
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On Wednesday, President Donald Trump pardoned rapper Kentrell DeSean Gaulden, known as NBA YoungBoy, the White House confirmed to Newsweek via email.
CNN's Jasmine Write reported on X, formerly Twitter, Wednesday, "President Trump has also issued a full pardon to rapper NBA YoungBoy (or YoungBoy Never Broke again lol), one of the most streamed rappers, who was convicted of possessing weapons as a felon."
YoungBoy was set to walk out of prison in July 2025 thanks to a plea deal related to a federal gun charge in Utah last year.
From Baton Rouge, Louisiana, YoungBoy is a prominent American rapper known for his emotionally raw music and relentless output. Rising to fame in the mid-2010s with mixtapes like 38 Baby and AI YoungBoy, he quickly gained a loyal following for his confessional style and gritty portrayal of street life. Despite limited mainstream media presence, his projects frequently top the charts, and he boasts billions of views on YouTube.
YoungBoy's career has also been marked by significant legal troubles, including firearms charges and house arrest. These issues have not slowed his productivity—he has released numerous albums and mixtapes while incarcerated or under legal restrictions.
This is developing news and will be updated as more information is available.
