Lil Wayne thanks Trump for 'another chance' after pardon; Kodak Black released from prison
Former President Donald Trump granted clemency to several notable celebrities in one of the final acts of his term.
Hours before President Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th president of the United States, Trump granted clemency to 143 people early Wednesday morning, including rappers Lil Wayne and Kodak Black but not Joe Exotic, the zookeeper-turned-"Tiger King" star who had been lobbying the president for months to pardon his sentence.
Lil Wayne
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."
Carter took to Twitter Thursday to send gratitude to Trump.
"I want to thank President Trump for recognizing that I have so much more to give to my family, my art, and my community," Carter tweeted. "I also want to thank @bradfordcohen for working so diligently to secure another chance for me. Love!"
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
'Rappers are Republicans?!?!': Lil Wayne's meeting with Donald Trump causes confusion on social media
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
Kapri expressed gratitude to Trump for the pardon on Twitter Tuesday.
"I Want To Thank The President @RealDonaldTrump For His Commitment To Justice Reform And Shortening My Sentence," he wrote. "I Also Want To Thank Everyone For Their Support And Love. It Means More Than You Will Ever Know. I Want To Continue Giving Back, Learning And Growing."
More: Rapper Kodak Black gets prison sentence in weapons case
Not pardoned: Joe Exotic
"Tiger King" star Joseph Maldonado-Passage, better known as Joe Exotic, was not among those to receive a pardon from Trump after submitting an application with the U.S. Department of Justice in September.
His legal team, led by wealthy philanthropist and private investigator Eric Love, had a limousine ready to go and hyped up the possibility of his release so much in the media that it became a trending topic on Twitter.
In social media postings Tuesday, Joe Exotic said he was praying he was on the list.
"I ask my group of Angels to please help God guide this to happen," he said. "I am going to help so many children fix their faces and stand up for those with no voice."
His application included a handwritten letter from Maldonado-Passage to President Trump, according to CBS News. In the letter, Maldonado-Passage says that he voted for Trump in 2016 and asks the president to "grant me a miracle" in the form of a pardon.
"If I have ever looked up to anyone it would be you," Maldonado-Passage writes. "Not because I need you to save my life but because you stand for what you believe no matter what anyone thinks."
The former Oklahoma zookeeper, who rose to fame as the subject of the hit Netflix docu-series, was sentenced to 22 years in prison for his role in a murder-for-hire plot against his longtime rival, Big Cat Rescue CEO Carole Baskin, as well as for violating federal wildlife laws.
Contributing: Hannah Yasharoff and Charles Trepany, USA TODAY; Nolan Clay, The Oklahoman; and The Associated Press
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump pardons rappers Lil Wayne, Kodak Black morning of inauguration