Trump could pardon Diddy, Bad Boy boss may get full reprieve before sentencing

Trump pardon Diddy: US president Donald Trump is seriously considering granting Sean “Diddy” Combs a full presidential pardon ahead of the music mogul’s sentencing later this year, as per a report.

Donald Trump Might Be Considering Presidential Pardon for Sean “Diddy” Combs

About two months after Trump floated the idea in the Oval Office, insiders reveal that a pardon for Combs is now “seriously being considered” by the US president’s team, as reported by Deadline. This comes as Combs could end up spending two to three years in a federal prison upon his sentencing on October 3 by Judge Arun Subramanian, as per the report.

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Diddy Faces Federal Sentencing After Partial Guilty Verdict

Combs was found partially guilty earlier this month by the US Attorney’s office for the Southern District of New York after an eight-week sex-trafficking trial, escaping the most severe charges he was accused of, according to the Deadline report.

Combs’ Legal Team Expected to Appeal After Sentencing

Despite being denied a $50 million bond and release from Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center since his arrest last September, an appeal is widely expected to be launched by the 10-attorney-deep defense almost immediately after sentencing occurs, as reported by Deadline.

Although Combs’ defence team, led by Marc Agnifilo and Teny Gerago, has remained tight-lipped on any pardon discussions, friends and associates have actively lobbied the White House for clemency, as per the report. While, a Trump administration official said, “the White House will not comment on the existence or nonexistence of any clemency request,” as quoted in the report.

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Trump and Diddy Share Decades-Long Relationship

Trump, who and Combs share a decades-long, sometimes complicated relationship, first hinted at considering clemency in May, saying he would look into the facts if someone was “mistreated,” according to the report. Even before the verdict of the trial was accounced, the US president said on May 30 that when it came to a Diddy pardon, he “would certainly look at the facts if I think somebody was mistreated, whether they like me or don’t like me,” as quoted by Deadline.

Over the years, their relationship has seen ups and downs, with Combs supporting former US president Joe Biden in 2020 despite previously being close to Trump, as per the Deadline report. Earlier than that, the US president and Combs had known each other for decades, with Trump even calling him a “good friend” in 2012, as reported by Deadline.

Critics Speak Out Against Possible Pardon

The pardon talks have stirred controversy, drawing criticism from other celebrities like Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, who has publicly vowed to oppose any pardon for Combs, as per the report. The Trump-ally rap star posted on social media, saying, “I’m gonna reach out so he knows how I feel about this guy," as quoted in the Deadline report.

New Push for Pre-Sentencing Release

This week, Combs’ legal team made another push to get him released from jail while he awaits sentencing, as per the report. Once again, they offered a $50 million bond and promised strict conditions, including limits on where Combs could travel and who he could have contact with, according to the Deadline report.

Earlier in July, Judge Arun Subramanian gave both sides until July 30 to come up with a detailed plan for possibly letting Combs out for about two months leading up to his October 3 sentencing, as per the report. However, the Deadline found that the proposal might not be a joint proposal from the parties, though more documents from the defense might show up in the docket in the next 24 hours, as per the report.

FAQs

Is Trump really considering pardoning Diddy?
Yes, reports say Trump is seriously weighing the idea ahead of Diddy’s sentencing in October.

What was Diddy found guilty of?
He was found partially guilty on charges related to transporting individuals for prostitution, but acquitted of sex trafficking and racketeering.