Latest news with #YoungBoyNeverBrokeAgain
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3 days ago
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Trump answers whether he would pardon Diddy
The Brief During a White House event celebrating Elon Musk, President Donald Trump was asked if he would consider pardoning Sean "Diddy" Combs amid the hip-hop mogul's ongoing sex trafficking case. He noted he hasn't followed the case closely and hasn't spoken to Diddy in years, adding that their relationship cooled after he entered politics. Trump and Diddy have crossed paths over the years at many prestigious and high-profile events, even sharing a box with wives, Melania Trump and Kim Porter, at the 1997 US Open. NEW YORK - During a White House event celebrating Elon Musk, President Donald Trump was asked if he would consider pardoning Sean "Diddy" Combs amid the hip hop mogul's ongoing sex trafficking case. Trump said no one has formally requested a pardon but acknowledged that "people are thinking about it." The trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs has already cemented itself in pop culture history with its dramatic revelations and high-profile testimonies. Pardoning Diddy would be a monumental move, given the scale of the allegations and the intense public attention surrounding the case. Trump and Diddy have crossed paths over the years at prestigious and high-profile events, including the 2005 Art for Life Gala honoring Diddy at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, and the Feb.6, 2008 Gucci and Madonna benefit for Raising Malawi and UNICEF at the United Nations in New York City, where they were both photographed with Melania Trump. Trump and Diddy have crossed paths over the years at many prestigious, high-profile events like the 1997 US Open with wife, Melania, and partner, Kim Porter. Trump noted he hasn't followed the case closely and hasn't spoken to Diddy in years, adding that their relationship cooled after he entered politics. Trump emphasized that any decision would be based on the facts and not on popularity. The U.S. Constitution gives the president the power to pardon people for federal crimes, except in cases of impeachment. A pardon is legal forgiveness as it ends punishment and restores rights like voting or running for office. While this power is broad, it only applies to federal crimes, not state offenses. A president can pardon someone before they are convicted of a crime. This is known as a preemptive pardon and has precedent in U.S. history. Former President Joe Biden pre-emptively pardoned several family members, including his brothers James and Frank Biden, and sister Valerie Biden Owens. One of the most famous examples is President Gerald Ford's 1974 pardon of Richard Nixon, which came before Nixon was formally charged or convicted of any crimes related to the Watergate scandal. However, the pardon still only applies to federal crimes, not state-level charges. Big picture view Trump pardoned several people including Todd and Julie Chrisley, known for their show "Chrisley Knows Best," former Connecticut governor John G. Rowland, Kentrell Gaulden (known as rapper YoungBoy Never Broke Again), Kevin Eric Baisden, John Moore, former U.S. Rep. Michael Grimm, James Callahan, former Virginia Sheriff Scott Jenkins, and Tanner Mansell. Federal prosecutors have charged Diddy with a series of crimes including: Count 1: Racketeering Conspiracy. Count One charges that, from at least in or about 2004 through in or about 2024, the defendant participated in a racketeering conspiracy during which he agreed with other employees and associates of his businesses to commit kidnapping, arson, bribery of a witness, obstruction of justice, drug distribution, forced labor, sex trafficking, and transportation for purposes of engaging in prostitution. Count 2: Sex Trafficking by Force, Fraud, or Coercion. Count Two charges the defendant with sex trafficking an adult female victim through force, fraud, and coercion between ~2009 and ~2018. Count 3: Transportation to Engage in Prostitution. Count Three charges the defendant with transporting that female victim and male commercial sex workers to engage in prostitution between ~2009 and ~2018. Count 4: Sex trafficking. Count Four charges the defendant with sex trafficking a second adult female victim through force, fraud, and coercion between ~2021 and ~2024. Count 5: Transportation to Engage in Prostitution. Count Five charges the defendant with transporting that second female victim and male commercial sex workers to engage in prostitution between ~2021 and ~2024. He also faces more than 60 lawsuits from alleged victims. If convicted, the 55-year-old Diddy could face 15 years to life in prison. In documents obtained by Fox News Digital, Diddy's defense team admitted the disgraced rapper committed "domestic violence" against a partner. Diddy's strategy seems to be to "admit to what is a lesser, state crime to avoid federal prison." Diddy was arrested in Oct. 2024 at the Park Hyatt New York in Midtown Manhattan. He's been in jail ever since. The trial, which began Monday, May 12, with opening statements, is expected to last eight weeks.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
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President Trump Says He'd ‘Look at the Facts' When Considering Potential Diddy Pardon
Diddy is currently on trial in New York for sex trafficking and racketeering. While the trial is still in its early stages, President Donald Trump was asked about potentially pardoning the Bad Boy mogul, and Trump admitted it's something he'd consider. During an Oval Office briefing on Friday (May 30), Trump was asked about pardoning Diddy by Fox News senior White House correspondent Peter Doocy and said he'd 'look at the facts' of the case, while adding that his turbulent relationship with Combs wouldn't impact his decision. More from Billboard Alex Warren & Jelly Roll (Almost) Lead a Medieval Revolution in New 'Bloodline' Video Which New Music Release Is Your Favorite This Week? Vote! Santana Teams Up With Grupo Frontera for 'Me Retiro': 'They Have So Much Joy and I Relate to That' 'Nobody's asked, but I know people are thinking about it,' he said. 'I think some people have been really close to asking. First of all, I'd look at what's happening and I haven't watched it too closely.' While Trump and Diddy used to be cool — the president even called him a 'good friend' in 2012 when he hosted The Apprentice — things changed when Trump took over the White House. 'I haven't spoken to him in years,' Trump said. 'He used to really like me a lot. I think when I ran for politics, that relationship busted up. … I would certainly look at the facts. If I think somebody was mistreated, whether they like me or don't like me, it wouldn't have any impact on me.' Diddy's trial is expected to last into July. He's facing a potential life sentence if convicted on all charges. Trump made plenty of headlines this week, with a pardon for YoungBoy Never Broke Again and commuting the federal life sentences of former Chicago gang leader Larry Hoover, who has been imprisoned since 1973. While YoungBoy untangled from his federal cases, Hoover is still on the hook in Illinois for the remainder of a 200-year sentence for the 1973 murder of drug dealer William 'Pooky' of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
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Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Praises Bad Bunny for ‘Political' Album ‘Debí Tirar Más Fotos'
What does Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez listen to when she's fighting for change or passing legislation on Capitol Hill? A lot of Bad Bunny, as it turns out. In a new interview with Rolling Stone published Friday (May 30), the politician opened up about policy, the Donald Trump administration and, of course, her favorite tunes. 'I have had the Bad Bunny album on repeat,' she told the publication, referencing 2025's four-week Billboard 200 chart-topper Debi Tirar Mas Fotos. More from Billboard YoungBoy Never Broke Again Pardoned by President Trump: 'Thank You to Everyone Who Believed in Me' The Amity Affliction Cover Turnstile's 'Holiday' for 'Like a Version' Mariah Carey Celebrates 20 Years of 'The Emancipation of Mimi': Stream It Now 'As a Puerto Rican, the album is very cathartic, and it's very political,' AOC continued. 'It speaks to a lot of what's happening to us and our people right now.' The New York native added that she loves how the rapper is 'bringing salsa back.' 'Rauw Alejandro is doing that, too,' she noted. 'I'm a big salsa person. It's such a nice outlet. I like it because the lyricism is so dramatic. Everyone's breaking up, everyone's got the love of their life. It's so funny.' AOC's praise of the 'Titi Me Pregunto' artist comes as he's gearing up to tour the globe in support of his new album, traveling around Latin America, Asia, Australia and Europe. He's also been breaking numerous sales records while he's at it, from becoming the first Latin act to ever sell out a stadium concert in Australia to selling all-time high amounts of tickets in France, Italy, Poland, Portugal and Sweden for a Latin artist. Other than his upcoming residency in Puerto Rico, however, Bunny is notably skipping the United States on his tour. When asked for her thoughts, Ocasio-Cortez told RS, 'We just don't have figures like that anymore.' 'I think about the Civil Rights Movement, and I think about people like Harry Belafonte and all of these artists who really did risk everything, risk their careers and their popularity in order to support and take part in people's movements, and to use their art … it's more rare now, or at least it feels that way,' she continued. 'I wasn't around then. The pressures of the industry are to be as broad as possible. When you have someone who does something gutsy like that, first of all, people come through for it, and it's super compelling.' To the representative's point about Bunny being political, the three-time Grammy winner is also active in politics outside of his music. In the 2024 U.S. election, he supported Kamala Harris' campaign for president, boosting her messaging about what was at stake for Puerto Rican voters. Several other Latin stars — including Luis Fonsi, Marc Anthony and Ricky Martin — also expressed support for Harris, though others backed Trump. In September, AOC dissed Nicky Jam and Anuel AA for endorsing the twice-impeached POTUS during a congressional hearing. 'I suppose that puts you and Nicky Jam and Anuel in the same boat,' she told Mark Krikorian, the executive director of the far-right Center for Immigration Studies, after he claimed not to remember Trump saying he wanted to 'sell' Puerto Rico. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
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4 days ago
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Larry Hoover Jr. Thanks Ye for Helping His Father Get Life Sentence Commuted by Donald Trump
Larry Hoover Jr. has thanked Ye (formerly Kanye West) for his support over the years when it comes to advocating for his father, Larry Hoover's, freedom. The elder Hoover had his federal life sentence commuted by President Donald Trump on Wednesday (May 28). TheGangster Disciples' founder has been locked up since 1973. More from Billboard YoungBoy Never Broke Again Pardoned by President Trump: 'Thank You to Everyone Who Believed in Me' Thom Yorke Releases 'Dialing In' as Theme to Apple TV+ Series 'Smoke' Kneecap Removed From Scottish Festival Following Safety Concerns From Police 'It started a long time ago with Kanye. Kanye put us on the platform,' he told TMZ. '[Ye] had a very big part because he started it all off. He put us on the platform. He took us to the White House on his platform when he didn't have to do that.' Hoover Jr. continued, '[Ye] stuck his neck out there. We know he don't have a problem with sticking his neck out there about what he believes in, and I'm glad he believed in this.' Yeezy — who has been facing backlash for his hate speech — brought Larry Hoover's situation to the White House during a visit to Trump in the Oval Office in 2018. He headlined the Free Larry Hoover Benefit Concert at the Coliseum with Drake in late 2021, and even gave Larry Hoover Jr. a platform during his Drink Champs interview. Larry Hoover Jr. also made an appearance on Ye's Donda album, and the former Chicago gang leader was spotlighted on West tracks such as 'Jesus Lord' and Vultures 2's 'River.' Ye was hyped to learn that Hoover received federal clemency. 'WORDS CAN'T EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE FOR OUR DEVOTED ENDURING PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP FOR FREEING LARRY HOOVER,' he wrote to X on Wednesday. While the 74-year-old convicted felon had his federal sentence commuted by Trump, it doesn't mean he's going to be home free just yet. He's still dealing with a 200-year sentence in Illinois for the 1973 murder of drug dealer William 'Pooky' Young. In addition to commuting Larry Hoover's sentence, Trump has granted a series of pardons this week, including to YoungBoy Never Broke Again and reality stars Todd and Julie Chrisley. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
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YoungBoy Never Broke Again Pardoned by Donald Trump
Kentrell DeSean 'YoungBoy Never Broke Again' Gaulden, May 2019 () President Donald J. Trump is pardoning YoungBoy Never Broke Again, The Associated Press Reports. The rapper, who was born Kentrell DeSean Gaulden and is also known as NBA YoungBoy, had been sentenced, last year, to 23 months in prison for possessing weapons as a felon. The rapper was also handed 60 months of probation. He was released from federal custody in March and had been under home confinement. 'I want to thank President Trump for granting me a pardon and giving me the opportunity to keep building—as a man, as a father, and as an artist,' YoungBoy Never Broke Again' shared in a statement. 'This moment means a lot. It opens the door to a future I've worked hard for and I am fully prepared to step into this.' Find his full statement below. YoungBoy Never Broke Again recently announced a headlining U.S. tour. It is set to begin in September and stretch into October. In a statement to The New York Times, the rapper's tour agent, Andrew Lieber, said, 'He's a fully free man now, with no travel restrictions. The world is at his fingertips.' In 2021, on his way out of office, Donald Trump pardoned Lil Wayne and commuted Kodak Black's federal prison sentence. Wayne celebrated his pardon by releasing a song called 'Ain't Got Time.' YoungBoy Never Broke Again: I want to thank President Trump for granting me a pardon and giving me the opportunity to keep building - as a man, as a father, and as an artist. This moment means a lot. It opens the door to a future I've worked hard for and I am fully prepared to step into this. Big thanks to the Pardon Czar, Ms. Alice Marie Johnson, for fighting for second chances for so many people, and to my lawyer, Brittany K. Barnett, for being in my corner and all your hard work to make this possible. And thank you to everyone who believed in me. ' I'm grateful. I'm Focused. I'm Ready. ' -Kentrell Originally Appeared on Pitchfork
