Full Breakdown
Trump Pledges Pardon for Former NBA Stars to Join the WNBA
By Drooid · · How we work
Event Overview
On October 1, President Donald Trump addressed supporters at an “Electric Rally” in Durant, Oklahoma. During the speech he announced that former NBA players Dennis Rodman and Enes Kanter Freedom would receive a “full pardon” allowing them to compete in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) at any time. Both athletes were present at the rally.
Background & Context
Dennis Rodman, a five-time NBA champion who retired in 2000, is a longtime friend of Trump and has previously claimed credit for facilitating a 2018 meeting between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un. Despite online speculation, Rodman has never indicated a desire to play in the WNBA.
Enes Kanter Freedom, a former Utah Jazz forward, has been an outspoken critic of the WNBA’s policies on transgender athletes. In August, he announced his intention to enter the league’s draft as part of that campaign.
Official Statements & Responses
Trump framed the pledge as an exemption for the two men, emphasizing their athletic achievements. Media reports note that Rodman’s college affiliation was incorrectly cited as Oklahoma State University; he actually played at Southeastern Oklahoma State University.
The announcement generated no immediate response from the WNBA or its players’ association in the available sources. Mediaite reported that Rodman has never expressed interest in playing in the WNBA, and that the pledge was “bizarre” in tone.