Trump Hesitates on Diddy Pardon: Past Feud Clouds Mogul’s Fate. In a striking twist to an already dramatic saga, President Donald Trump has hinted at reluctance to pardon Sean “Diddy” Combs, citing the music mogul’s critical remarks during his political career.
Speaking on Newsmax on August 1, 2025, Trump described Combs as “sort of half-innocent” following his July conviction on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, but suggested that past hostilities make clemency “more difficult.” This development, set against their once-friendly relationship, highlights the complex interplay of personal ties and political grudges in Trump’s pardon decisions.
A Conviction and a Complicated History
On July 2, 2025, a New York City federal jury convicted Combs, 55, on two counts related to transporting individuals, including former girlfriends and male sex workers, for prostitution, each carrying a potential 10-year sentence. He was acquitted of graver charges of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy, which could have led to life imprisonment.
Combs, detained at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center, awaits sentencing on October 3 and has requested release on a $50 million bond. His legal team argues the case, rooted in consensual “swingers’ lifestyle” activities, is unprecedented and warrants his freedom pending sentencing.
Trump and Combs, both New York natives, shared a chummy past, mingling at high-profile events like the 1997 US Open and a 2008 UNICEF fundraiser. In 2012, Trump called Combs a “good friend” on The Apprentice. However, their bond frayed when Combs criticized Trump’s presidency. In a 2017 Daily Beast interview, Combs dismissed Trump’s relevance to Black communities, saying, “We don’t really give a f— about Trump.”
In 2020, he told Charlamagne tha God that “white men like Trump need to be banished,” urging his ouster from office. These remarks clearly stung Trump, who referenced them on Newsmax, noting, “When I ran for office, he was very hostile. It’s hard, you know? We’re human beings.”
Pardon Speculation and Political Backlash
Speculation about a Combs pardon intensified after a July 29 Deadline report, citing an unnamed administration source, claimed Trump was “seriously considering” clemency, possibly to distract from scrutiny over his refusal to release Jeffrey Epstein files. Trump’s history of pardoning celebrities, including rappers Lil Wayne and Kodak Black in 2021 and reality stars Todd and Julie Chrisley in May 2025, fueled the rumors.
On May 30, Trump told reporters he’d “look at the facts” if Combs was “mistreated,” noting that “people are thinking about it” but no formal request had been made. However, his latest comments signal a shift, with Combs’ past criticism complicating the decision. “When you knew someone and you were fine, and then you run for office, and he made some terrible statements, it makes it more difficult,” Trump said.
Opposition to a pardon has been vocal. Rapper Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, a Trump supporter, vowed on May 31 to dissuade the president, posting, “I’m gonna reach out so he knows how I feel about this guy.” Conservative commentator Megyn Kelly warned on July 30 that a pardon would alienate young female voters, calling Combs a “Trump hater” and “woman abuser.” Survivors of Combs’ alleged abuses are drafting a letter to Trump, arguing that clemency would send a “devastating message” that their “pain and truth are still negotiable.”
A Broader Context of Controversy
Trump’s pardon deliberations occur amid controversy over his handling of the Epstein case, with critics decrying his administration’s refusal to release promised documents. Questions about a potential pardon for Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s convicted associate, have also surfaced, with Trump saying it’s “inappropriate to talk about” now. His extensive use of clemency—over 1,600 pardons in 2025, including for January 6 rioters—has drawn scrutiny for favoring allies and celebrities, raising questions about fairness in Combs’ case.
What Lies Ahead
Combs’ fate hinges on his bail hearing and Trump’s final decision. If bail is denied, sources suggest Trump may act swiftly, believing Combs was “unfairly targeted” by federal prosecutors, notably Maurene Comey, who was fired post-trial. Yet, Trump’s Newsmax remarks indicate personal grievances may outweigh past friendships, leaving Combs’ pardon prospects uncertain as sentencing looms.
