People have reacted with surprise to the news that US president Donald Trump has issued a presidential pardon to rapper Lil Wayne.
Wayne, real name Dwayne Michael Carter Jr, pleaded guilty in December to federal weapons charges following an incident at a Miami airport in 2019, and was facing up to 10 years in prison.
Earlier this year, Wayne had endorsed Trump’s campaign for re-election in a social media post.
The pardon comes amid a wave of pardons and commutations issued by Trump before he leaves office later today (20 January).
Hip-hop artist Kodak Black (real name Bill Kapri) received a commutation after having being charged with falsifying information on federal forms to buy firearms.
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
“Trump pardons Lil Wayne, snubs Joe Exotic” is exactly the kind of headline this presidency was always going to end with huh
— Josh Butler (@JoshButler) January 20, 2021
Lil Wayne and Kodak after getting pardoned by Trump pic.twitter.com/WbGESFFV1W
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) January 20, 2021
“Gotta have @KodakBlack1k & @LilTunechi on the pardon me remix now,” joked rapper Lil Yachty.
Comedian Karlous Miller wrote that Lil Wayne was “smart as f*** for that slick ass move he pulled”, seemingly referring to Wayne’s endorsement of Trump last year.
“I don’t blame Weezy,” he added. “F*** going to the slammer.”
Political journalist Josh Butler wrote: “’Trump pardons Lil Wayne, snubs Joe Exotic’ is exactly the kind of headline this presidency was always going to end with huh.”
Trump has pardoned Lil Wayne. Just when you thought 2021 couldn’t get any weirder. #DonaldJTrump #PardonList
— The Nextmen (@thenextmen) January 20, 2021
Gotta have @KodakBlack1k & @LilTunechi on the pardon me remix now
— concrete boy boat (@lilyachty) January 20, 2021
Another Twitter user commented: “No Edward Snowden, but Lil Wayne got pardoned? Didn’t even know he was sentenced to prison. Snowden should release a mix tape or something. I don’t get it.”
London DJs The Nextmen wrote: “Trump has pardoned Lil Wayne. Just when you thought 2021 couldn’t get any weirder.”
*story by The Independent