Donald Trump said Friday he is unlikely to pardon Sean "Diddy" Combs, but left open the possibility as pressure mounts from the rapper's allies following his conviction on federal prostitution charges. In an interview with Newsmax host Rob Finnerty, Trump stated: "I'd say so," when asked if a pardon was "more likely a no," citing Combs' past criticism of his presidency.
Trump said he and Combs were once "very friendly," recalling they "got along great," but added that when he ran for office, Combs became "very hostile" and made "terrible statements." He added, "It makes it more difficult to do."
Combs, 55, was found guilty on two counts of violating the Mann Act by transporting individuals across state lines for the purpose of prostitution. He was acquitted on more serious charges of racketeering and sex trafficking. He is currently in custody awaiting an October 3 sentencing and a pending bail motion.
"Well, he was essentially, I guess, sort of half-innocent," Trump said, referencing the mixed verdict. "I don't know what they do that he's still in jail or something. He was celebrating a victory but I guess it wasn't as good a victory."
Despite public skepticism, Trump first hinted at the possibility of a pardon in May. "I would certainly look at the facts. If I think somebody was mistreated, whether they like me or don't like me, it wouldn't have any impact on me," he said during a May 30 Oval Office press conference.
Behind the scenes, Combs' allies have intensified efforts to secure clemency. According to sources cited by Rolling Stone, individuals close to the rapper have approached Trump advisers with six-figure offers to political operatives and lobbyists in exchange for support in securing a pardon.
"The pleading has gotten bigger [this month]," a Trump adviser told Rolling Stone, noting an uptick in outreach from Combs' network since Trump's election win. However, multiple senior Trump officials have expressed serious reservations about commuting Combs' sentence, given the nature of the charges and the administration's ongoing public scrutiny over its past handling of the Jeffrey Epstein investigation.
Survivors connected to the case have also voiced opposition. A draft letter reviewed by Rolling Stone urges Trump not to grant a pardon, stating it "would not be justice" but rather a "devastating message to survivors everywhere: that our lives, our pain, and our truth are still negotiable."
Combs' legal team is pursuing multiple avenues to reverse his conviction. On Thursday, they filed a 62-page motion asking the judge to vacate the prostitution verdict or grant a retrial. Another motion this week seeks his release on bail. In response, federal prosecutors in the Southern District of New York filed a motion Thursday night opposing bail, arguing he should remain in custody until sentencing.
Though Trump appeared hesitant during the Newsmax interview, he stopped short of ruling out the option entirely. "We're human beings," he said. "And we don't like to have things cloud our judgment, right?"
