Combs Faces Sentencing After Mixed Verdict; White House is Officially Saying Nothing
Donald Trump is seriously considering a full presidential pardon for Sean “Diddy” Combs ahead of his October 3, 2025, sentencing, following a July 2 conviction on two counts of transportation for prostitution. Combs, acquitted of sex trafficking and racketeering, faces up to 14 years in prison after an eight-week trial in New York.
Trump, who called Combs a “good friend” in 2012, first raised the pardon possibility on May 30, 2025, stating he would “look at the facts” if Combs was mistreated. Their relationship, spanning 1990s Manhattan social circles, soured when Combs criticized Trump’s politics and endorsed Joe Biden in 2020. Associates of Combs have lobbied the White House for clemency.
Combs, detained since his September 2024 arrest at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center, was denied a $50 million bond. His defense, led by Marc Agnifilo, plans an appeal post-sentencing, arguing prosecutorial overreach by the Maurene Comey-led team. The jury’s mixed verdict highlighted the influence of Diddy’s celebrity status.
Rapper 50 Cent, a Trump supporter, vowed to oppose the pardon, citing Combs’ past criticisms. Trump’s history of pardoning celebrities like Lil Wayne and Todd Chrisley fuels speculation, though no formal request has been confirmed. The White House declined to comment on clemency discussions, noting the decision remains fluid.
The pardon talk coincides with Trump’s broader political maneuvers, including tensions over unreleased Jeffrey Epstein files. Combs’ team continues pushing for pre-sentencing release, with a July 30 deadline for a bail proposal. A pardon, if granted, would be controversial given the case’s high-profile allegations.
Source: Deadline