Donald Trump pardons Rapper NBA YoungBoy.

Rapper Kentrell DeSean Gaulden, better known by his stage name NBA YoungBoy, has received a presidential pardon from United States President Donald Trump. 

This unexpected clemency was announced on Wednesday, just a few weeks after the rapper was released from a halfway house in Phoenix, Arizona, where he was completing the final phase of a federal sentence related to prescription drug fraud. 

In 2024, YoungBoy was arrested while under house arrest in Utah, facing accusations of operating a prescription drug ring from his luxury home.

He was charged with a total of 63 offenses, including identity fraud and forgery. After negotiating a plea deal, he was sentenced to 23 months in federal prison, fined $25,000, and required to undergo five years of supervised probation upon release.

After accounting for time served, he spent 11 months in prison before being moved to the halfway house in early 2025. 

Even though his pardon effectively absolves YoungBoy of his federal crimes, it does not erase his criminal record or imply his innocence.

The White House did not provide an official reason for the decision, which has ignited debate among both supporters and critics. 

Following the announcement, YoungBoy expressed his gratitude to Trump in an Instagram statement, calling the pardon a “second chance.”

He stated, “I want to thank President Donald Trump for granting me a pardon and giving me the opportunity to keep building—not only as a man and a father but also as an artist.

This moment means a lot to me.” He also acknowledged criminal justice advocate Alice Marie Johnson, known for her advocacy on clemency cases, and his attorney, Brittany K. Barnett, for their significant efforts in securing the pardon.

“Big thanks to the Pardon Czar, Ms. Alice Marie Johnson, for fighting for second chances for so many people, and to my lawyer Brittany K. Barnett for being in my corner and working so hard to make this possible. And thank you to everyone who believed in me.”

Since 2014, YoungBoy has had numerous encounters with the law, with charges ranging from robbery and attempted murder to illegal firearm possession.

However, these legal issues have not impeded his musical output. Even while incarcerated or under house arrest, he has consistently released music, earning acclaim for his confessional style and relentless productivity. 

NBA YoungBoy gained fame in the mid-2010s through underground mixtapes like *38 Baby* and *AI YoungBoy*, capturing attention for his raw lyrics and vivid depictions of street life.

His extensive catalogue and dedicated fan base have allowed him to chart multiple projects on the Billboard 200, solidifying his status as one of the most streamed rap artists of his generation. 

The pardon adds YoungBoy’s name to a growing list of entertainers and high-profile figures who have received clemency from Trump, many of whom have benefited from the advocacy of reform campaigners.

While the rapper is now free from federal prosecution concerning the fraud case, some state-level legal matters remain unresolved. Nevertheless, he appears eager to move forward and refocus on both his family and music career.