Diddy’s Legal Fate May Rest in Trump’s Hands

Hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs may not have won a complete acquittal during his July trial, but he has certainly received some high-profile support from former President Donald Trump. Appearing on Newsmax’s Finnerty on Friday (August 1), Trump was asked about his recent comments about Diddy, specifically whether or not he would consider issuing a presidential pardon to the artist following his conviction last month.

Combs, the founder of the Bad Boy Records label, was found guilty of one federal charge: transportation with intent to engage in prostitution. He was acquitted, however, on the more serious charges of sex trafficking and racketeering, all of which were the result of a federal investigation that reached back as far as 2018. As anyone who has followed the case knows, Combs’ seven-week trial was rife with controversy and explosive testimonies, such as singer Cassie Ventura’s claims that the former MC abused and trafficked her when the two were romantically involved.

Combs has staunchly maintained his innocence in the face of the accusations, as well as denied the alleged relationship that was brought up by Ventura. At the end of the trial, however, the music mogul was found guilty of one charge.

Asked about a pardon, Trump was both noncommittal and borderline open to the idea of granting the rapper one. “Well, he was essentially, I guess, sort of half-innocent,” Trump stated to the reporter, followed by a chuckle. “He’s still in jail or something, but he was celebrating a victory. But I guess it wasn’t as good a victory.”

Trump also reflected on his past relationship with Diddy during the segment, which he said was previously solid but somehow took a turn for the worse when Trump made his foray into politics. “We were very friendly. I got along with him great,” Trump continued. “He used to like me a lot. I think when I ran for politics, that relationship busted up. … 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.”

Trump Previously Talked About Sean “Diddy” Combs and Pardons

In the past, Trump has spoken about Diddy when it came to a possible pardon. In May, while inside the Oval Office, Trump sat down for a press briefing where Fox News reporter Peter Doocy asked the question of the day: if Trump would consider issuing Diddy a pardon. At the time, Trump’s answer was largely the same one he gave to Finnerty on Friday. He reiterated the importance of “looking at the facts” before anything could be determined, and that his personal feelings would not play a role.

“I haven’t spoken to him in years,” Trump said in response to Doocy’s question. “He’s got a case, which, you know, it’s very serious. But I haven’t spoken to him in years. But if I think somebody was mistreated, whether they like me or don’t like me, it wouldn’t have any impact on me.”

Combs now faces as many as 20 years in prison at sentencing, which is set for October 3, though his attorneys are already filing appeals and motions. The charge that he was convicted on was from a more than two-year-long federal investigation, which finally resulted in last month’s trial. A special jury was convened to preside over the case, and although the music mogul was cleared of the most serious charges, including sex trafficking and racketeering, it does not bode well for his future.

Trump had maintained a connection to Diddy before the trial and now in the aftermath. During an interview that Trump did with Fox News, he mentioned their former friendship as he has done in the past with other public figures. A clip of Trump’s full comments, shared from the Finnerty interview, is available on X (formerly Twitter).