Rumors are swirling that President Donald Trump might step in to help old friend-turned-critic Sean “Diddy” Combs — but the White House says not so fast.
Combs is currently serving a 50-month prison sentence after being convicted on two counts of transporting individuals for the purpose of prostitution. Earlier this year, Trump acknowledged that Combs’ legal team had formally requested a pardon.
On Monday, TMZ reported that Trump was considering commuting Combs’ sentence “as early as this week.” The White House swiftly dismissed the claim as having “zero truth” and noted that no paperwork or formal notice of commutation has been filed.
Still, TMZ isn’t backing down — the outlet insists its story came straight from a “high-ranking White House official.” But the administration is fighting back with its trademark intensity.
“There is zero truth to the TMZ report, which we would’ve gladly explained had they reached out before running their fake news,” a White House official responded. “The president, not anonymous sources, is the final decider on pardons and commutations.”
Newsweek continues:
Combs remains incarcerated at a federal correctional facility in New York, where he is serving the prison sentence handed down after his July conviction. His time he has already spent there will be subtracted from his sentence, meaning he could get out in about three years.
His legal team has filed an appeal seeking to overturn the verdict, but for now, he continues to serve his sentence while pursuing post-trial motions. Authorities have not disclosed whether his security status or placement within the prison system will change as those appeals proceed.
President Trump has the constitutional authority to issue pardons and commutations for federal crimes, including those related to Combs’ conviction. A pardon from the president would effectively erase Combs’ conviction, while a commutation would reduce or end his sentence without clearing the conviction itself.
While Trump previously said he would “look at the facts,” he also acknowledged that Combs’ past criticism of him complicates any potential decision on clemency. The two men once shared a cordial relationship in New York’s entertainment and business circles, and Trump called Combs “a good friend” on The Celebrity Apprentice in 2012.
Combs later became sharply critical of Trump, endorsing Joe Biden in 2020 and accusing Trump of harming Black communities.
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Please tell Donald Trump that a pardon for Diddy is the same as Trump admitting he engaged in similar misconduct and abuse. Diddy is a very evil person, and what he did to young aspiring persons is pure evil. So, Donald Trump liked him. Proof that Diddy gave Donald money and invited him to his parties, private parties. Trump just can’t help himself. So, expose yourself Donald.
A high white souse horse.