President Trump pardons rappers Lil Wayne and Kodak Black hours before Joe Biden’s inauguration
Lil Wayne #LilWayne
‘Tiger King’ Joe Exotic has formally requested a pardon, which includes letter to Trump
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President Donald Trump has commuted the prison sentence of several notable celebrities in one of the final acts of his term. .
Hours before Joe Biden is set to be sworn in as the 46th president of the United States, Trump granted clemency to rappers Lil Wayne and Kodak Black early Wednesday morning.
Lil Wayne
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Trump granted a full pardon to Lil Wayne, whose real name is Dwayne Michael Carter Jr. The rapper was charged in Florida on Nov. 17 with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, a federal offense that carries a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison.
“Brett Berish of Sovereign Brands, who supports a pardon for Mr. Carter, describes him as ‘trustworthy, kind-hearted and generous,’ ” read the White House’s official statement. “Mr. Carter has exhibited this generosity through commitment to a variety of charities, including donations to research hospitals and a host of foodbanks.”
In October, the Grammy award-winner caused a stir on social media after appearing to endorse Trump by sharing a photo of the pair following a “great meeting.”
“Just had a great meeting with @realdonaldtrump @potus,” Carter tweeted on Oct. 29. “Besides what he’s done so far with criminal reform, the platinum plan is going to give the community real ownership. He listened to what we had to say today and assured he will and can get it done.”
Lil Wayne charged with possession of firearm by a convicted felon, a federal offense
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Kodak Black
Carter wasn’t the only rapper to be pardoned. Kodak Black, whose real name is Bill Kahan Kapri, was also granted a commutation by the outgoing president.
In 2019, the “Tunnel Vision” rapper was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to weapons charges stemming from his arrest just before a scheduled concert performance.
Earlier this month, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson advocated for the commutation of Kapri on Twitter.
“Hey @realDonaldTrump @potus my friend @KodakBlack1k deserves to be commuted,” Jackson tweeted on Jan. 5. “The system punished him way to hard for a paperwork crime #freekodak”
The White House highlighted Kapri’s “numerous philanthropic efforts… such as providing educational resources to students and families of fallen law enforcement officers and the underprivileged. In addition to these efforts, he has paid for the notebooks of school children, provided funding and supplies to daycare centers, provided food for the hungry, and annually provides for underprivileged children during Christmas.”
Kodak Black donates $20,000 from prison to Christmas Eve toy drive for Florida kids
More: Rapper Kodak Black gets prison sentence in weapons case
Contributing: Hannah Yasharoff and Charles Trepany, USA TODAY, and The Associated Press
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: President Trump pardons rappers Lil Wayne and Kodak Black hours before Joe Biden’s inauguration