NBA YoungBoy Walks Free After Surprise Donald Trump Pardon

A move that has sent shockwaves through both political and hip-hop circles, President Donald Trump has pardoned rapper NBA YoungBoy, also known as Kentrell Gaulden, during a sweeping clemency spree that included high-profile names from reality TV and organised crime. The 24-year-old rap star, who has faced multiple federal gun and drug charges in recent years, expressed gratitude in a statement shared via Instagram.

“This moment means a lot,” NBA YoungBoy wrote. “It opens the door to a future I’ve worked hard for and I am fully prepared to step into this.”

The Trump pardon, confirmed by NBA YoungBoy’s attorney Drew Findling, comes just months after the rapper pleaded guilty in connection with two gun possession cases — one stemming from a 2020 arrest in Louisiana and another tied to a 2024 raid at his Utah residence, where he was under house arrest.

The Legal Troubles Behind the Music

NBA YoungBoy’s legal saga has been long and complex. In May 2024, federal authorities raided his Huntsville, Utah home, arresting him in what they described as a fraudulent prescription drug ring. He faced felony gun charges and multiple counts of distributing controlled substances.

Earlier, in a separate 2020 incident, the rapper had been caught with a Masterpiece Arms 9mm and a Glock .45-calibre handgun while filming a music video in Baton Rouge. He later admitted to “knowingly possessing” additional firearms, including a Sig Sauer 9mm, while still under legal supervision.

After entering a plea agreement, Gaulden was sentenced to 23 months in federal prison, with credit for time served. In early 2025, he returned to Utah after completing his sentence under modified terms. Until now, the future of his music and freedom remained uncertain.

Trump’s Latest Pardons: From Rappers to Reality Stars

Gaulden wasn’t the only controversial figure to benefit from Trump’s latest round of presidential pardons. Also included were:

• Julie and Todd Chrisley, reality TV stars convicted in 2022 of defrauding banks out of more than $30 million.

• Larry Hoover, the founder of the Gangster Disciples, whose federal life sentence commuted.

• Former GOP Congressman Michael Grimm and ex-Connecticut Governor John Rowland, both convicted of white-collar crimes.

This clemency wave mirrors Trump’s past pardons of notable figures, such as Lil Wayne and Kodak Black, reinforcing his image as a political outsider willing to intervene in cases that blur the lines between criminal justice and celebrity culture.

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What’s Next for NBA YoungBoy?

Now free, NBA YoungBoy is expected to return to music, potentially releasing new material in the coming months. Known for his deeply personal lyrics and massive streaming numbers, he remains one of hip-hop’s most polarising and prolific artists — and now, one of its most famously pardoned.

This pardon adds another unexpected chapter to both Trump’s legacy and NBA YoungBoy’s turbulent rise, proving once again that in American politics and pop culture, anything can happen.