NEW YORK – Donald Trump is actively considering a presidential pardon for Sean “Diddy” Combs ahead of the convicted Bad Boy Records founder’s sentencing later this year. This development comes as allies of Combs, who was found partially guilty in his New York sex-trafficking trial earlier this month, have been actively lobbying the White House. An administration source described the pardon as being “seriously considered,” marking a significant escalation from earlier discussions.
Pardon Talk Gains Momentum for Sean Combs
Sources indicate the possibility of a pardon has shifted from a speculative topic to a potentially actionable event. This consideration occurs nearly two months after Trump publicly expressed openness to pardoning Combs, stating in May that he “would certainly look at the facts if I think somebody was mistreated.” The White House has maintained a policy of not commenting on the existence or nonexistence of clemency requests.
Joe Schildhorn/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images
Combs, who has been denied a $50 million bond and remained in Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center since his September arrest, faces sentencing on October 3 by Judge Arun Subramanian. He could receive a sentence of two to three years, including time already served. An appeal is anticipated regardless of the sentence imposed.
Combs’ legal team, led by Marc Agnifilo and Teny Gerago, declined to comment on any pardon discussions. While numerous individuals close to Combs have reportedly engaged with the White House, his defense attorneys have not been significantly involved in this process.
The jury, deliberating for eight weeks in the sex-trafficking trial, convicted Combs on July 2 of transportation to engage in prostitution. He was acquitted of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy charges. This outcome highlighted the prosecution’s strategic challenges and the influence of celebrity in the legal system.
Earlier this month, Combs’ defense team again petitioned for his release, proposing a $50 million bond with travel and interaction restrictions. Judge Subramanian set a July 30 deadline for the prosecution and defense to submit proposals for Combs’ release leading up to his sentencing.
The consideration of a pardon for Combs has reportedly intensified amid ongoing political developments, including public pressure on the Department of Justice to release files related to Jeffrey Epstein. Trump recently filed a $10 billion lawsuit against Rupert Murdoch’s Wall Street Journal following its July 18 report on Trump’s friendship with Epstein.
Following the Combs verdict and the Epstein revelations, lead prosecutor Maurene Comey, daughter of former FBI Director James Comey, was removed from her position at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. In a statement regarding her departure, Comey remarked, “Fear is the tool of a tyrant, wielded to suppress independent thought.”
Combs and Trump have a long-standing relationship, dating back decades. Trump once referred to Combs as a “good friend” in 2012. However, Combs later became critical of Trump during his presidency and endorsed Joe Biden in 2020.
Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson has publicly stated his intention to oppose any potential pardon for Combs, asserting on social media, “I’m gonna reach out so he knows how I feel about this guy.”
