Did Trump Pardon NBA YoungBoy? Unpacking The Presidential Reprieve

Nicolette Morar I 27 Jul 2025

So, the question on many people's minds, perhaps even yours, is that: Did Trump pardon NBA YoungBoy? Well, the news certainly made a lot of noise, and for good reason, as it really brought a prominent figure in music back into the spotlight, not for a new song, but for a significant legal development. This particular event, you know, a presidential pardon, can often carry a lot of weight and spark quite a bit of discussion among people who follow both politics and popular culture, which is very much what happened here.

Louisiana rapper NBA YoungBoy, whose actual name is Kentrell Desean Gaulden, found himself back in the headlines, and it was quite a moment, to be honest. This time around, it wasn't about his latest album or a tour announcement, but rather a rather surprising turn of events: he received a pardon from President Donald Trump, which, you know, certainly raised some eyebrows everywhere. It's not every day that a prominent music artist is granted such a reprieve, and so, people were definitely curious about what exactly had happened.

This move, clearing a federal gun charge that had actually sent the rapper to prison not too long ago, comes as part of a spree of reprieves issued by President Trump. It really included a diverse group of individuals, like a reality television couple and even a notorious former gang leader, so, it was quite a mixed bag, in a way. This kind of action from a president always sparks conversation, and this instance was no different, making many wonder about the details of the pardon and what it meant for the rapper's future.

NBA YoungBoy: Who Is Kentrell Gaulden?
The Pardon: Details and Timing
What Were the Charges?
NBA YoungBoy's Reaction to the Pardon
A Look at Other Trump Pardons
Frequently Asked Questions
What This Means Going Forward

NBA YoungBoy: Who Is Kentrell Gaulden?

Kentrell Desean Gaulden, widely recognized by his stage name NBA YoungBoy, or sometimes just YoungBoy Never Broke Again, is a very well-known rapper from Louisiana. He has, you know, built quite a name for himself in the music world, becoming one of the most streamed rappers around, which is quite a feat, honestly. His music often resonates with a lot of people, and he has a significant following that really keeps up with his career, both his musical releases and his personal life.

Before this particular pardon made headlines, Gaulden had, you know, been involved in various legal situations that kept him in the public eye, sometimes for reasons beyond his music. His journey in the music industry has been marked by both immense success and, you know, these legal challenges, which is something that tends to happen with public figures, it seems. Understanding who he is as an artist and a person helps a bit when considering the impact of such a significant event as a presidential pardon.

Personal Details and Bio Data

Full Name	Kentrell Desean Gaulden
Also Known As	NBA YoungBoy, YoungBoy Never Broke Again
Profession	Rapper	Birthplace	Louisiana
Legal Status (Pre-Pardon)	Had served nearly two years in prison; faced federal gun charges
Pardon Date	Wednesday, May 28, 2025 (according to AP News)

The Pardon: Details and Timing

The big news, the one that really got everyone talking, was that President Donald Trump did indeed issue a pardon for rapper NBA YoungBoy. This happened on a Wednesday, specifically May 25, according to some reports, and May 28, 2025, according to others like the Associated Press, which is a bit of a detail to keep in mind. This act, a presidential pardon, is a very powerful thing, as it essentially clears a person's federal convictions, giving them a fresh start in the eyes of the law, which is quite a significant opportunity.

The pardon, you know, specifically addressed and cleared the rapper’s federal convictions tied to two separate gun possession cases, one in Louisiana and another in Utah. This means that the legal issues stemming from those particular charges are now, basically, behind him, thanks to this presidential action. It’s a move that, in some respects, wipes the slate clean for those specific federal matters, allowing him to move forward without those particular legal burdens.

According to AP News, NBA YoungBoy was pardoned by President Trump about two months before the news really hit, on May 28, 2025, from his probation, after he had been released from prison in March. So, this wasn't a pardon that came while he was actively serving a prison sentence, but rather after his release, clearing him from the probation period he was undergoing. It's a subtle but important detail in the timeline of events, you know, showing the exact point at which the pardon took effect.

His lawyer, when asked about the situation, told Rolling Stone that while they didn't actually do the pardon application themselves, they could absolutely confirm that he was, in fact, pardoned. This confirmation from his legal team really solidifies the reports and makes it clear that the event did happen, as a matter of fact. It’s that kind of official confirmation that puts any lingering doubts to rest for people who were curious about the truth of the matter.

What Were the Charges?

The core of the legal troubles that led to this presidential pardon centered around federal gun charges. NBA YoungBoy, whose legal name is Kentrell Gaulden, was convicted of possessing weapons as a felon, which is a very serious offense under federal law. This conviction, you know, is what ultimately sent the rapper to prison last year, and it's the specific charge that the presidential pardon aimed to clear, basically making those legal consequences disappear.

Gaulden had served nearly two years in prison after pleading, and he was sentenced to two years in prison in 2024. So, he had, in a way, already spent a significant amount of time incarcerated due to these charges before the pardon came into play. The pardon, therefore, didn't prevent him from serving time, but rather, it addressed the lingering federal convictions and the associated probation, which is quite a distinction to make.

The specific federal convictions that were cleared were tied to two separate gun possession cases, as mentioned earlier. One of these cases was in Louisiana, his home state, and the other was in Utah. This suggests that the legal issues were not confined to a single location but spanned across different jurisdictions, which can sometimes make legal matters a bit more complicated, you know, with different courts and different sets of rules involved.

NBA YoungBoy's Reaction to the Pardon

After the news broke, NBA YoungBoy, you know, expressed his gratitude towards Donald Trump for the presidential pardon. He took the opportunity to thank the former president publicly, which is a pretty common thing for people who receive such a significant act of clemency. It’s that kind of moment where a person acknowledges the impact of such a decision on their life and future.

The rapper conveyed how much this moment truly meant to him, stating, "This moment means a lot." This sentiment, you know, really highlights the personal significance of receiving a pardon, especially after having served time and dealing with ongoing legal burdens. For someone in his position, it’s probably a huge weight lifted, allowing him to focus more squarely on his music and his personal life without the constant shadow of these federal charges.

He was pardoned along with eight other individuals who were formerly convicted, which, you know, puts his case into a broader context of Trump's clemency actions. It wasn't an isolated event just for him, but part of a larger group of people who received presidential reprieves at that time. This shows that while his pardon was notable due to his public profile, it was part of a wider initiative, more or less, by the president to grant pardons to various individuals.

A Look at Other Trump Pardons

President Donald Trump, it's pretty clear, issued a pardon for rapper NBA YoungBoy as part of a spree of reprieves, which really caught a lot of attention. This wasn't just a one-off thing for a single individual; he pardoned quite a few people during his time in office, especially as his term was coming to a close. It's a power that presidents have, and they tend to use it in various ways, sometimes quite controversially, which is that kind of thing that makes headlines.

The pardons included a diverse range of individuals, which is quite interesting to consider. For instance, the spree of reprieves that included NBA YoungBoy also extended to a reality television couple, whose names are often in the news for other reasons, and a notorious former gang leader, which, you know, certainly raised some eyebrows and sparked a lot of discussion among the public. This variety in the recipients of pardons is often a talking point, as people wonder about the criteria or reasons behind such decisions.

It's also worth noting that quite a few celebrities have been pardoned by Trump over the years, not just NBA YoungBoy. This pattern suggests a certain approach to presidential clemency that sometimes involves high-profile figures, which can generate a lot of media coverage and public interest. NBA YoungBoy, who was sentenced to almost two years in prison last year, is just one example in a list that includes other well-known personalities who received similar acts of presidential grace.

A post from a relevant source, perhaps a government announcement or a news outlet, basically confirmed this, stating, "President Trump has also issued a full pardon to rapper NBA YoungBoy, one of the most streamed rappers, who was convicted of possessing weapons as a felon." This kind of official confirmation really drives home the point that this pardon was a legitimate and documented event, not just a rumor floating around. It's that kind of factual detail that helps clarify the situation for everyone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did NBA YoungBoy actually get pardoned by Donald Trump?

Yes, as a matter of fact, President Donald Trump did pardon NBA YoungBoy. The news was confirmed by multiple sources, including the Associated Press and the rapper's lawyer, who stated they could confirm he was indeed pardoned. This happened on a Wednesday, with some reports citing May 25 and others May 28, 2025, as the date of the pardon, which cleared federal gun charges against him.

What charges did NBA YoungBoy's pardon clear?

The pardon specifically cleared NBA YoungBoy's federal convictions tied to two separate gun possession cases. He had been convicted of possessing weapons as a felon, and these cases were located in both Louisiana and Utah. The presidential act essentially removed these particular federal legal burdens from his record, allowing him to move past those specific charges.

How long did NBA YoungBoy serve in prison before the pardon?

NBA YoungBoy had served nearly two years in prison after pleading to his charges, and he was sentenced to two years in prison in 2024. The pardon, according to AP News, came on May 28, 2025, from his probation, after he had already been released from prison in March. So, the pardon came after he had completed his prison time, addressing the ongoing probation related to those federal convictions.

What This Means Going Forward

The pardon for NBA YoungBoy by President Donald Trump is, you know, a pretty significant event for the rapper's life and career. It basically clears the federal gun charges that had been a source of legal trouble for him, allowing him to, in a way, have a fresh start concerning those specific issues. This kind of presidential act can really change a person's trajectory, removing obstacles that might have otherwise continued to affect their life and work, which is quite a big deal.

This moment, as the rapper himself expressed, means a lot to him, and it's easy to see why. Having these federal convictions cleared means he can, you know, focus more fully on his music and other pursuits without the constant pressure of these particular legal battles. It's a situation that will likely be discussed for some time, given the public profiles of both the pardoned individual and the president who granted the pardon, which is that kind of thing that sticks with people.

For those interested in the broader context of presidential pardons and their impact on individuals, you can learn more about presidential clemency on our site. Additionally, if you're curious about the legal system and how such decisions are made, you might find it helpful to explore the intricacies of federal law, which can offer more background on these kinds of cases. It's always good to stay informed about these sorts of developments.

NBA YoungBoy gets Trump pardon after federal gun case

Trump pardons rapper NBA YoungBoy in spree of clemency actions

Heat Trans Media