Donald Trump: Young Thug is being treated very unfairly

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - Less than 48 hours after his Atlanta rally, White House GOP nominee and former President Donald Trump said rapper Young Thug is being “treated very unfairly” in his organized crime trial in Fulton County.

Trump mentioned the rapper - whose real name is Jeffery Williams - during a live podcast stream with American internet personality and online streamer Adin Ross on the platform Kick. The livestream, according to TheWrap, began with 250,000 online viewers, a number which climbed to a high of 555,000.

Like Young Thug, Trump is facing organized crime-like charges in Fulton County brought by District Attorney Fani Willis. Trump’s judicial proceedings are on hold until the Georgia Court of Appeals hears arguments whether to disqualify Willis from prosecuting the case because of her now-itted romantic relationship with former special prosecutor Nathan Wade.

During the live stream and at around the one-hour and six-minute mark, Ross described Young Thug as his friend, and then brought up Willis’ indictments against the global entertainment superstar.

Williams was arrested on May 9, 2022, along with 27 other suspected gang in Buckhead as part of a 56-count indictment. The trial’s jury selection lasted longer than any other in Georgia history, and actual witness testimony itself will likely sur state records. Both records were set by the Atlanta Public Schools teacher scandal and trial of 2014-15.

The trial itself began on Nov. 27, 2023. Defense attorneys have repeatedly raised concerns that the trial could go on for years based on the number of witnesses the state plans to introduce.

Prosecutors are attempting to show that YSL is a criminal street gang responsible for numerous offenses. Defense attorneys say YSL is not a gang but simply the name of a record label.

LISTEN | Full podcast coverage of Young Thug’s trial

Young Thug himself is facing eight criminal counts under a federal law originally enacted to fight organized crime. Georgia is one of 33 states with its own RICO law, but in the Peach State, the alleged criminal enterprises do not have to have existed as long as the federal law.

Williams is also charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of codeine with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine, possession of a firearm and possession of a machine gun.

Atlanta News First is broadcasting gavel-to-gavel coverage of Young Thug’s trial on ANF+ live stream and YouTube channel, and on Roku, Fire TV and AppleTV. our Atlanta News First app for the latest details on Young Thug’s historic trial.