Trump's Celebrity Pardon Palooza Who Made the Cut?

Trump's Celebrity Pardons: A Look at the High-Profile Cases

During his time in office, President Donald Trump issued a number of pardons and commutations, some of which involved well-known celebrities. These decisions often sparked public debate and raised questions about the criteria used in granting clemency. Let's take a closer look at some of the most notable celebrity pardons issued by President Trump.

The Chrisleys of "Chrisley Knows Best"

Reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley, known for their show "Chrisley Knows Best," were among the recent recipients of Trump's pardons. The couple had been convicted in 2022 of swindling $36 million from banks and committing years of tax evasion. Todd received a 12-year sentence, while Julie was sentenced to 7 years. President Trump stated that they were "prosecuted because they were celebrities." Their release from prison on Wednesday marked a significant development in this high-profile case.

NBA YoungBoy Receives Pardon

Rapper NBA YoungBoy, whose legal name is Kentrell Gaulden, also received a pardon from President Trump this week. Gaulden had been sentenced to 2 years in prison in 2024 after acknowledging he possessed weapons despite being a convicted felon. In a statement posted on social media, the rapper expressed his gratitude to President Trump, saying it would give him the opportunity to "keep building — as a man, as a father, and as an artist."

Rod Blagojevich: From Governor to Reality TV to Pardon

The case of Rod Blagojevich, the former Illinois Governor, is particularly intriguing. Blagojevich wasimpeached and removed from office in 2009 following convictions of wire fraud, lying to an FBI agent, extortion attempts, and soliciting bribes. Interestingly, before his 14-year sentence, Blagojevich appeared on Trump's reality TV show, "Celebrity Apprentice." Trump had previously commuted Blagojevich's sentence in 2020 before eventually granting a full pardon.

Jay Johnston and the January 6th Capitol Attack

Actor and comedian Jay Johnston, known for his roles in "Anchorman" and "Mr. Show," was among those pardoned in connection with the January 6th, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Johnston was sentenced to 12 months and 1 day for obstructing officers during a civil disorder. The pardon came after Johnston had already lost his role voicing a character on the animated show "Bob's Burgers."

Lil Wayne: A Last-Minute Pardon

Hip hop star Lil Wayne, whose legal name is Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., was among Trump's last-minute pardons at the end of his first term. The "Lollipop" rapper had pleaded guilty to a federal weapons charge in December 2020 after carrying a handgun on a private jet. Having previously been convicted on felony weapon charges, it was illegal for him to possess firearms under federal law.

Kodak Black: Pardoned Alongside Lil Wayne

Rapper and singer Kodak Black, whose legal name is Bill Kapri, was also pardoned alongside Lil Wayne at the end of Trump's first term. He had been sentenced to 46 months in prison on federal weapon charges after admitting he falsified information on federal forms to purchase firearms.

Key Takeaways:

• President Trump issued a number of high-profile celebrity pardons during his time in office.
• These pardons covered a range of offenses, from financial crimes to weapons charges.
• The decisions often sparked controversy and raised questions about the criteria used in granting clemency.

The pardoning of celebrities by President Trump underscores the complex and often debated nature of executive clemency. These cases serve as a reminder of the significant power held by the President and the impact these decisions can have on individuals and the public perception of justice.

Tags: Donald Trump, Celebrity Pardons, Todd Chrisley, Julie Chrisley, NBA YoungBoy, Chrisley Knows Best, Trump Pardons, Reality TV, Rapper Pardon, Tax Evasion

Source: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/are-celebrities-trump-pardoned-far-rcna209736