Can you really call yourself a has-been until you “has been” pardoned by President Donald J. Trump? It’s the latest trend sweeping through certain celeb circles. Todd and Julie Chrisley are some of the latest stars to have their past misdeeds swept under the rug by the President, but it hardly seems likely they’ll be the last.
Presidential pardons are always a fascinating look into the inner psychology of the Commander-in-chief. Gerald Ford pardoned his predecessor/former boss Richard Nixon in 1974. Clinton pardoned Patty Hearst on his last day in office. Was it because he was a Serial Mom fan? Who can say? But neither of those guys pardoned any rappers or reality stars. Here’s a list of everyone who’s anyone (who needed to be pardoned by a certain someone).
Todd and Julie Chrisley
Who is that again? The Chrisleys were stars of the USA Network’s Chrisley Knows Best, which ran for 10 seasons.
What did they do? Fraud and tax evasion. Lots of both.
When did Trump pardon them? And why? Trump announced on May 27 that he would fully pardon the Chrisleys. He said he’d been told they “were given a pretty harsh treatment,” and that “they’re terrific people. This should not have happened.”
Lil Wayne
Who is that again? Rapper, millionaire, Young Money millionaire, tougher than Nigerian hair
What did they do? He and Kodak Black had federal gun charges. Wayne, born Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., pleaded guilty to federal gun possession.
When did Trump pardon them? And why? Wayne was pardoned on the last day of the first Trump administration. He cited Wayne’s charitable contributions as his reason for the pardon.
Kodak Black
Who is that again? Born Bill Kapri, he’s the rapper behind “Super Gremlin” and “No Flockin’.”
What did they do? Kodak Black was convicted of lying on two separate background-check forms for gun purchases. He was sentenced to 46 months in prison.
When did Trump pardon them? And why? Trump commuted Kodak Black’s federal sentence, but couldn’t touch his Florida sexual assault chargers which were pending at the time. Trump cited Lil’s Yachty and Pump as people who helped convince him to help Kodak. Since then, Kapri got probation for the SA charge, but was arrested twice more for drug charges.
Jay Johnston
Who is that again? Johntson was a regular on Mr. Show and The Sarah Silverman Program. He also voiced Jimmy Pesto on Bob’s Burgers.
What did they do? January 6 stuff.
When did Trump pardon them? And why? Johnston’s fiancee, Sara Radovanovitch, tweeted that Trump got Johnston’s case dismissed on his first day in office. The why is pretty self-explanatory.
Update: Thanks to @rallynate for letting us know yesterday that there’s even better news! Despite being sentenced and having to report to prison in less than two weeks, the judge hadn’t filed their case yet and it was completely DISMISSED!! 🎉🎉🎉 pic.twitter.com/1hD9qHeEgq
— Sara Radovanovitch (@the_cats_meowww) January 22, 2025
Michael “Harry-O” Harris
Who is that again? Harris co-founded Death Row Records while already in prison for kidnapping, dealing crack, and attempted murder.
What did they do? Kidnapping, dealing crack, and attempted murder.
When did Trump pardon them? And why? Harris’ sentence was commuted by Trump on January 20, 2021. Trump cited his three decade-long “exemplary prison record,” and that he was a former entrepreneur.
Tommaso Buti
Who is that again? Tommaso Busi was one of the founders of the Fashion Cafe, a fashion-centric riff on restaurants like the Hard Rock Cafe and Planet Hollywood.
What did they do? Busi was charged with federal conspiracy, money laundering, and wire fraud — all related to mismanagement of the Fashion Cafe. He was never convicted, however.
When did Trump pardon them? And why? Buti was one of the last-day-in-office pardonees. Trump said it was because Busi was a COO in Italy.
Rod Blagojevich
Who is that again? Former Governor of Illinois, former contestant on Celebrity Apprentice.
What did they do? a lot of corruption, perhaps most famously trying to sell Obama’s Senate seat after he was elected president. Famously, he was at Walt Disney World when news broke of his indictment.
When did Trump pardon them? And why? Trump pardoned Blago in February 2025. Anything for a former apprentice, right?
NBA YoungBoy
Who is that again? Born Kentrell DeSean Gaulden, NBA YoungBoy is the youngest artist in Billboard history to chart 100 singles on the Hot 100. What did they do? Gaulden was arrested in 2024 — while already under house arrest — for running a prescription drug fraud ring out of his home. Facing 63 charges, including identity fraud and forger, he pleaded out. His 23-month sentence was due to be over in July.
When did Trump pardon them? And why? Trump pardoned NBA YoungBoy on May 28, a day after the Chrisleys. On social media, YoungBoy thanked “pardon Czar “Ms. Alice Marie Johnson, for fighting for second chances for so many people.”
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From rappers to celebrity apprentices to Jimmy Pestos.
