UPDATE: President Donald Trump has officially rejected rapper Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ request for a pardon, delivering a significant blow to the music mogul’s hopes for freedom. This announcement comes just hours after a revealing two-hour interview with New York Times reporters on January 7, 2025.
In a candid exchange, Trump disclosed that Combs had directly reached out to him, admitting he “asked me for a pardon” through a personal letter. However, the President made it clear that he has no intention of utilizing his clemency power to assist Combs, stating, “I didn’t know him well, but when I ran for office he was very hostile.” This sentiment underscores a personal grudge rooted in their past interactions.
Trump’s decision comes amid Combs’ ongoing legal troubles, which intensified on July 2, 2025, when a jury delivered a split verdict after weeks of testimony. Although Combs was acquitted of serious charges including racketeering and sex trafficking, he was convicted on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, leading to a staggering 50-year sentence in New Jersey.
During the interview, Trump teased the journalists about the pardon letter but kept it to himself, a move that reflects his characteristic showmanship. He noted how Combs was “celebrating a victory” but quickly added it wasn’t the outcome he desired. As Combs prepares to appeal his conviction, Trump’s refusal leaves him facing a lengthy prison term.
“I’d say so,” Trump stated when asked if a pardon was unlikely, making it clear that his past grievances weigh heavily on his decision-making process.
Prior to this interview, speculation swirled regarding a potential commutation of Combs’ sentence. However, a spokesperson for the White House had already dismissed such rumors, stating there was “zero truth” to claims that any leniency was in the works.
With Trump’s latest comments, the outlook seems bleak for Combs, who is currently fighting to overturn both his conviction and the associated lengthy prison term. As this story develops, the implications for Combs—and his fans—are significant, raising questions about justice, celebrity influence, and the role of personal relationships in legal matters.
For now, Combs remains behind bars, and Trump’s refusal to intervene signals a definitive end to hopes of immediate relief for the Bad Boy Records founder.
