BELOW SUPERNAV drop zone ⇩

President Trump pardons rapper Lil Wayne, commutes Kodak Black’s sentence

MIAMI, FL – DECEMBER 09: Lil Wayne performs onstage during BACARDI, Swizz Beatz and The Dean Collection bring NO COMMISSION back to Miami to celebrate “Island Might” at Soho Studios on December 9, 2017 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images for BACARDI)

MAIN AREA TOP drop zone ⇩

WASHINGTON (NewsNation Now) — In his final hours in office, President Donald Trump has granted clemency to rappers Lil Wayne and Kodak Black, along with the former Mayor of Detroit Kwame Kilpatrick.

President Trump granted a full pardon to Lil Wayne. Wayne, who was born Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., pleaded guilty last month to possessing a loaded, gold-plated handgun when his chartered jet landed in Miami in December 2019. He faced a sentence of up to 10 years in prison for possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.

President Trump granted a commutation to Kodak Black, 23, who was born Bill Kahan Kapri. Black was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison for making a false statement in order to buy a firearm. He has served nearly half his sentence.

President Trump commuted the sentence of Kwame Kilpatrick. He was convicted on federal racketeering and other charges while holding office in Detroit. Kilpatrick has served around seven years in prison.

This is a developing story; check back for updates.

Reuters contributed to this report.

Politics

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed

MAIN AREA MIDDLE drop zone ⇩

Trending on NewsNation

MAIN AREA BOTTOM drop zone ⇩

tt

KC Chiefs parade shooting: 1 dead, 21 shot including 9 kids | Morning in America

Witness of Chiefs parade shooting describes suspect | Banfield

Kansas City Chiefs parade shooting: Mom of 2 dead, over 20 shot | Banfield

WWE star Ashley Massaro 'threatened' by board to keep quiet about alleged rape: Friend | Banfield

Friend of WWE star: Ashley Massaro 'spent hours' sobbing after alleged rape | Banfield

Clear

la

52°F Clear Feels like 52°
Wind
3 mph N
Humidity
45%
Sunrise
Sunset

Tonight

Clear skies. Low 44F. Winds light and variable.
44°F Clear skies. Low 44F. Winds light and variable.
Wind
4 mph NNE
Precip
0%
Sunset
Moon Phase
Waxing Gibbous