Young Thug, the Atlanta rapper who is facing a RICO trial for his alleged involvement in a gang conspiracy, has an unlikely defense strategy: claiming that his stage name and his music are expressions of his faith and positivity.
According to reports from MSN and Complex, Young Thug’s lawyer, Brian Steel, told the jurors in his opening statement on Tuesday that the rapper’s name stands for “Truly Humble Under God” and that his song “Pushing P” means “pushing positivity”. Steel also argued that Young Thug, whose real name is Jeffery Williams, was not a gang member but a philanthropist who donated money to charities and helped his community.
Steel’s claims were met with skepticism and amusement by many online commentators, who pointed out the contradictions and absurdities of his arguments. Some noted that Young Thug has a long history of legal troubles, including drug and weapon charges, and that his lyrics and videos often glorify violence and crime. Others mocked Steel’s interpretation of Young Thug’s name and song, comparing him to Saul Goodman, the fictional lawyer from the TV series Breaking Bad and its spin-off Better Call Saul, who is known for his shady and unethical practices.
Saul Goodman, played by Bob Odenkirk, is a criminal defense lawyer who represents drug dealers, murderers, and other criminals. He uses his skills as a former con artist to manipulate the law and help his clients escape justice. His name, “Saul Goodman”, is a play on the phrase “it’s all good, man”. He also adopts various aliases and disguises to hide his identity and avoid detection.
Many Twitter users made jokes and memes about Young Thug’s lawyer being Saul Goodman in disguise, or suggested that Young Thug should hire Saul Goodman instead. Here are some examples of the tweets:
- “Young Thug’s lawyer is Saul Goodman with a wig on”
- “Young Thug’s lawyer is really out here pushing P for positivity. Better call Saul”
- “Young Thug’s lawyer said his name stands for Truly Humble Under God. I’m dead. This is some Saul Goodman shit”
- “Young Thug’s lawyer is trying to pull a Saul Goodman. Next thing you know he’s gonna say Thugger is a chemistry teacher who got cancer and started cooking meth to pay for his treatment”
- “Young Thug needs to fire his lawyer and hire Saul Goodman ASAP. He’s the only one who can get him out of this mess”
Young Thug has not commented on his lawyer’s claims or the online reactions. His trial is expected to last for several weeks. He faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted.