On the last day of Trump’s presidency, 143 people found their prison sentences reportedly pardoned or commuted. Among the numbers were New Orleans rapper Lil Wayne and Florida rapper Kodak Black, both of who have publicly endorsed the now-former president in the previous election run.
Kodak Black has been serving a three-year sentence in federal prison stemming from weapons charges for which he pleaded guilty. TMZ began to report that his lawyers, Bradford Cohen (who also represented Lil Wayne with his pardon) and Jonathan Schwartz, began to petition to Trump on his behalf for his release. “It details why we feel it would be appropriate in his situation,” Cohen said of the petition at the time. “We still have the pending case in Washington DC against the BOP and the one in Miami against the US Marshall Service.”
Black began to use his social media to plead to Trump, from open letters asking the former president to pull-up on me, I got a brilliant idea,” to promising that if he were to be pardoned he would “spend 1 million on Charity within The First Year I’m Out. That’s on Everything,” in November.
With the news that he would now be free, he shared a message via Twitter, thanking Trump. “I Want To Thank The President [Donald Trump] For His Commitment To Justice Reform And Shortening My Sentence,” he tweeted. “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.”
I Want To Thank The President @RealDonaldTrump For His Commitment To Justice Reform And Shortening My Sentence. I Also Want To Thank Everyone For Their Support And Love.
— Kodak Black (@KodakBlack1k) January 20, 2021
It Means More Than You Will Ever Know. I Want To Continue Giving Back, Learning And Growing. @DanScavino
Lil Wayne has also been vocal for his support, going as far as scoring a meeting with Trump at the White House mere days before the election. “Just had a great meeting with [Donald Trump],” he once tweeted. “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.”
The “A Milli” rapper was being investigated for a gun charge with sentencing upcoming. With him being included in Trump’s list, many speculated that this was all a tactical move for him to secure a pardon. However, his lawyer is speaking up to say that it wasn’t the case.
Just had a great meeting with @realdonaldtrump @potus 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. 🤙🏾 pic.twitter.com/Q9c5k1yMWf
— Lil Wayne WEEZY F (@LilTunechi) October 29, 2020
“It never hurts that someone gets a full understanding of an individual when they’re just looking at a piece of paper,” Cohen said in a recent New York Times interview. “In hindsight, I guess it worked out.” suggesting that Wayne’s endorsement was not intended for this outcome.
Cohen added, “It never hurts that someone gets a full understanding of an individual when they’re just looking at a piece of paper. In hindsight, I guess it worked out.”
Lil Wayne took to twitter to share his gratitude to the former president after receiving pardon. The rapper wrote, “I want to thank President Trump for recognizing that I have so much more to give to my family, my art, and my community. I also want to thank @bradfordcohen for working so diligently to secure another chance for me. Love!”
I want to thank President Trump for recognizing that I have so much more to give to my family, my art, and my community. I also want to thank @bradfordcohen for working so diligently to secure another chance for me. Love!
— Lil Wayne WEEZY F (@LilTunechi) January 21, 2021
– Dwayne Michael Carter Jr.
After Lil Wayne posted the tweet, fans notice him referring to Trump as ‘President Trump’ causing fans to remind the rapper he’s now a former president. In response, some fans replied acknowledging past Presidents are still called President or Former President.
Check out some of the responses below:
Former president
— Travis Bonnell (@TBo812) January 21, 2021
Former President Trump, mate. Former.
— . (@___Q__) January 21, 2021
former president*
— sarahッ (@uhohsarah_) January 21, 2021
Former President sibhaxa😅😀 pic.twitter.com/rMNMqPf58R
— Mbulelo (@Mbulelo03362939) January 21, 2021