Could Sean "Diddy" Combs be getting an unexpected break from his legal woes? Reports suggest that former President Donald Trump is taking a serious look at pardoning the music mogul. This comes after Diddy, 55, was convicted earlier this month.
A recent report from Deadline, published on the night of Tuesday, July 29, states that Trump is "seriously" considering a pardon. The information came from a source close to the Trump administration. The White House typically does not comment on potential pardons, and Diddy’s representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Trump first hinted at a possible pardon for Diddy back in May. This was after he had already granted pardons to reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley. On May 30, during a press conference in the Oval Office, Trump remarked, "I would certainly look at the facts. If I think somebody was mistreated, whether I like them or not, it wouldn’t affect me at all." He also touched on his personal connection with the jailed musician. "I used to like him a lot, but I think when I ran for politics… that relationship broke, from what I read," Trump said. "I don’t know, he didn’t tell me, but all of a sudden I read some somewhat nasty statements in the paper."
Diddy’s legal troubles have been front and center lately. He was found guilty on July 2 of two charges related to transporting individuals for prostitution. However, he was cleared of three more serious accusations. These included two counts of sex trafficking and one count of conspiracy for racketeering. Diddy has maintained his innocence since his arrest in September 2024 and denies all charges against him.
The founder of Bad Boy Records is currently being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York. He is waiting for his sentencing, set for October 3. He could face up to 20 years in prison, with credit for time already served. Just this Tuesday, Diddy’s lawyers filed a new request with Judge Arun Subramanian. They are asking for him to be released on a $50 million bail while he awaits his sentencing.
Part of the bail request argued, "Sean Combs should not be in jail for this conduct." It went on to say he "could be the only person currently imprisoned in America for being any type of customer, and certainly the only person in prison for hiring adult male escorts for himself and his girlfriend, when he didn’t even have sex with the escort."
A pardon for Diddy wouldn’t be completely out of character for Trump, 79. He has used his presidential power to pardon other celebrities this year. The Chrisleys are a prime example. In May, Trump pardoned Todd, 56, and Julie Chrisley, 52. Their pardon came after they were convicted in 2022. Their charges included tax evasion, bank fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy. The former stars of Chrisley Knows Best have always insisted they were innocent.
Todd was initially given a 12-year prison sentence, and Julie received seven years. The couple went to their separate prisons in Pensacola, Florida, and Lexington, Kentucky, in January 2023. Both were released on May 28.
Savannah Chrisley, Julie Chrisley, and Todd Chrisley. Savannah Chrisley/YouTube
On May 27, Trump spoke with Savannah Chrisley, Todd and Julie’s daughter, in a phone call. Savannah shared the recording on X. Trump told her, "It’s a terrible thing, but it’s a great thing, because your parents will be free and clear." He added, "I hope we can do it for tomorrow. I don’t know them, but give them my best. I wish them a good life." Trump said Todd and Julie had been treated "pretty rough." He also stated, "Congratulate your parents. I hear they’re great people. This shouldn’t have happened. … They have good kids. They’re not kids anymore, but I’ll say it anyway. They have good kids, right?"