by Rapper NBA YoungBoy, recently pardoned by former President Donald Trump, is now expressing gratitude for a second chance—years after dropping a diss track aimed squarely at Trump.
In a 2017 song titled Red Rum, the rapper, whose real name is Kentrell Gaulden, infamously rapped, “F— Donald Trump b—-, that NBA s—.” Fast forward to 2025, and that same artist is now praising Trump for helping him reset his life.
“I want to thank President Trump for granting me a pardon and for giving me the opportunity to keep building—as a man, as a father, and as an artist,” Gaulden posted on Instagram. “This moment means a lot.”
The 25-year-old Louisiana native has faced a series of legal troubles over the years, including firearms charges, assault, and his involvement in a prescription drug fraud ring. But according to Alice Marie Johnson—Trump’s pardon advocate—YoungBoy’s background and circumstances told a different story.
“Most of his gun charges didn’t involve discharging a weapon,” Johnson explained on Fox & Friends. “One incident came while filming a music video with prop weapons. Officers in that case were later investigated and fired.”
She emphasized his upbringing in a tough neighborhood and said she believes he deserves a clean slate.
While serving time, YoungBoy reached agreements that settled multiple state and federal cases. He was released from federal prison earlier this year and recently completed home confinement. Thanks to the pardon, he’s now free from probation restrictions, including mandatory drug testing.
“This opens the door to a future I’ve worked hard for,” he added. “I’m ready for this next chapter.”
Despite a past conviction for aggravated assault with a firearm and recent drug-related charges, Gaulden’s legal record now has a major asterisk: a presidential pardon from the same man he once lyrically blasted.
