Donald Trump has disclosed that Sean “Diddy” Combs directly asked him for a presidential pardon, but the US president has declined to grant one. In an Oval Office interview with the New York Times, Trump said Combs “asked me for a pardon … through a letter.” The president did not show the letter but confirmed he was not considering clemency for the jailed music mogul.
Combs was convicted on 2 July on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution and sentenced on 3 October to four years in prison and a $500,000 fine. He was acquitted on sex-trafficking and racketeering charges. The lead prosecutor in the case was Maurene Comey, daughter of former FBI director James Comey, a frequent Trump critic.
Trump had previously hinted at a possible pardon for Combs, who he called “Puff Daddy,” but later distanced himself from the idea after criticism. Sources close to the matter said a pardon was always a long shot. Combs’ legal team confirmed they had sought White House support, but declined to comment on the latest revelation.
Combs is currently incarcerated at low-security Fort Dix in New Jersey, with a release date of 25 May 2028. An appeal is expected to be heard this spring.
