It was confirmed today (Jan. 19) that Donald Trump pardoned Death Row Records co-founder Michael ‘Harry-O’ Harris after Snoop Dogg privately held conversations with the soon-to-be-out president about the possibility of freeing the former exec.
However, it looks like that wasn’t the only pardon that Trump decided to give to well-known people in the hip hop industry because it’s now being reported that he’s also pardoned rap’s very own Lil Wayne.
Back at the end of October 2020, Weezy F Baby was the target of a lot of social media backlash when he endorsed Trump for the presidential election against now President-elect Joe Biden. “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,” the rapper posted on Twitter.
Since news of his potential pardoning from Trump began to surface recently, many remembered this endorsement and wondered if Wayne did this as a way to play chess not checkers in regard to his own legal issues.
Even Boosie chimed in and said he thought Weezy did this was so he wouldn’t have to pay higher taxes. “When Wayne popped up and did it, I wasn’t that surprised,” he said. “I always felt Wayne didn’t care strongly about our Black beliefs. I always felt like Wayne felt he was rich more than Black.”
Back in November, the Funeral rapper was charged with possession of a firearm and ammunition as a felon after an anonymous tip was made, which led Miami cops and federal agents to search a jet of his. There, authorities found a gun, cocaine, ecstasy, marijuana, heroin, pain killers, prescription-strength cough syrup along with $26,000 in cash.
Wayne would plead guilty to the gun charges last month. The “Glory” rapper faced at least 10 years in prison if convicted.
See the announcement below.