Sean "Diddy" Combs' legal team has approached President Donald Trump seeking a pardon following the music mogul's conviction on federal prostitution-related charges, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter. The outreach, confirmed by Combs' defense attorney Nicole Westmoreland, comes as the hip-hop executive awaits sentencing in October and remains detained without bail.
"It's my understanding that we've reached out and had conversations in reference to a pardon," Westmoreland told CNN in an interview Tuesday.
The White House declined to comment on whether a clemency request has been filed. A White House official said, "The White House will not comment on the existence or nonexistence of any clemency request."
Combs was found guilty in July of two counts of interstate prostitution and faces up to 20 years in federal prison. He was acquitted of more serious charges, including racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking by coercion. He pleaded not guilty to all charges prior to trial.
Federal prosecutors alleged that Combs orchestrated a decades-long criminal operation that exploited women through drug-fueled events dubbed "freak offs," where he allegedly coerced women into sex acts with male sex workers while filming the encounters. The charges stemmed from a broader investigation into the use of influence and coercion in his entertainment empire.
On Monday, U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian denied Combs' renewed motion for bail, ensuring that the Bad Boy Records founder will remain incarcerated at least until his sentencing.
In an interview with Newsmax on Friday, Trump confirmed the request and appeared to weigh the decision, citing past personal dynamics with Combs. "They have talked to me about Sean," Trump said. "I was very friendly with him. I got along with him great. And seemed like a nice guy, I didn't know him well. But when I ran for office, he was very hostile."
Trump added, "I don't know, it's more - I'm being honest, it makes it more difficult to do." When asked if that meant he was "more likely a 'no' for Combs," the president replied, "I would say so."
Westmoreland said Combs remains optimistic despite the uncertain political calculus. "[Combs] is a very hopeful person, and I believe that he remains hopeful," she said.
This is not the first time Trump has weighed in on clemency requests involving public figures. During the same Newsmax interview, he was also asked about the possibility of pardons for Ghislaine Maxwell and former Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., both of whom are currently serving federal sentences.
Trump had previously said in May he would review Combs' case on its merits regardless of personal history. "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 at the time.
