U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly in communication with Sean “Diddy” Combs’ legal team about the possibility of granting a presidential pardon to the embattled music mogul. The conversation comes just weeks before Diddy’s sentencing, scheduled for October 3, where he faces up to 10 years in prison.
Sources close to the situation confirmed to Deadline that discussions around a potential pardon have escalated from mere speculation to a serious and “actionable” development. This follows a controversial move last month when Trump shifted a session related to Diddy’s legal proceedings to the White House, sparking immediate public and media interest.
Trump, who previously shared a cordial relationship with Combs, hinted as far back as May that a pardon might be on the horizon. “Nobody’s asked, but I know people are thinking about it… I think some people have been very close to asking,” he said during an Oval Office briefing. He further clarified that while he hadn’t been deeply involved in following the case, he was open to reviewing it if it appeared to be a miscarriage of justice. “Whether they like me or don’t like me, it wouldn’t have any impact,” Trump added, suggesting impartiality despite past tensions with Combs.
Notably, John Koufos, a criminal justice attorney who recently met with Trump’s pardon committee—including notable figures like Alice Marie Johnson and former U.S. Attorney Ed Martin—revealed that the case has raised broader questions about federal overreach. “The fact that he was convicted of things that it seems he pretty obviously did probably mitigates against a grant of clemency,” Koufos noted, casting some doubt on how far the talks might go.
Trump also acknowledged the strain in his relationship with Combs, stating, “He used to really like me a lot, but I think when I ran for politics… that relationship busted up. I’d read some nasty statements in the paper all of a sudden.”
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Meanwhile, longtime Diddy rival 50 Cent (Curtis Jackson) has taken a firm stand against any leniency, taking to Instagram to criticize the potential pardon. “He said some really bad things about Trump, it’s not ok. I’m gonna reach out so he knows how I feel about this guy,” the rapper posted. In a follow-up, he added, “Donald doesn’t take well to disrespect, and doesn’t forget who chooses to go against him.”
Should Trump go ahead with the pardon, it wouldn’t be the first time he’s offered clemency to high-profile figures. His presidency was marked by a string of controversial pardons, including former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, ex-Congressman Michael Grimm, and others. He also signed the First Step Act into law, aimed at easing sentencing for non-violent offenders and reforming aspects of the justice system.
As the clock ticks toward Diddy’s sentencing, all eyes remain fixed on Trump’s next move, which could once again dominate headlines and spark debate over the intersection of celebrity, politics, and justice in America.
