Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Kim Kardashian appears to snub Donald Trump after he grants prisoner clemency

The former president commuted Chris Young’s life sentence after years of campaigning from the reality star

Emily Cope
Monday 25 January 2021 08:28 GMT
Comments
(Getty images)

Kim Kardashian appeared to snub Donald Trump from a thank you message after he commuted the life sentence of an inmate she had campaigned on behalf of.

In 2014, Chris Young was found guilty of marijuana and cocaine possession and sentenced to life in prison following the federal “three-strikes” law, which sees offenders given a mandatory life sentence if they have two or more previous convictions.

The US citizen already had two charges against his name and presiding judge Kevin Sharp disagreed with the heavy sentencing so strongly that he resigned from his post shortly after handing Young the sentence.

However in Trump’s final act as US president before leaving the White House he granted Young  - and several other high profile names - clemency, and Young was released from prison. 

Following Trump’s decision Kardashian, 40, posted a heartfelt message on Instagram, writing: "It brings tears to my eyes to see Judge Sharp welcome him home. He was forced to sentence him to a life sentence based on mandatory minimums and ended up resigning due to these injustices.

Chris Young was granted clemency by former US president Donald Trump (Kimkardashian/Instagram)

"Judge Sharp and I went to the White House a few years ago asking for clemency for @thechrisyoung_2021. He’s so deserving and smart and I can’t wait to see all he accomplishes in this life! I worked on this case with Barnett for years so this victory is so sweet!"

The reality star went on to thank Reform Alliance CAO Jessica Jackson and Alice Marie Johnson, the woman whom Kardashian fought to be freed from prison three years ago.  

However Trump, 74, was notably absent from the message, despite he and Kardashian having built a working relationship in recent years as she campaigned for prison reform.  

Kardashian opened up about her controversial decision to work with Trump during an interview with Netflix’s My Next Guest With David Letterman last year. 

“I understand that and there are frustrations. Trust me, everyone called me and said ‘don’t you dare step foot in that White House or your reputation is done.’ 

“I said, I have to step foot in there or these people don’t have a chance. So it’s a life or my reputation,” she added.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in