Digital Phablet – Donald Trump won’t pardon Diddy despite calling him “half innocent.”
Prosecutors want Diddy behind bars—could Trump step in to save him?
Donald Trump believes that Sean “Diddy” Combs is “half-innocent” in his sex-trafficking case. However, the Grammy-winning artist will not be receiving a presidential pardon at this time.
Just two days ago, Deadline reported that Trump was “seriously contemplating” issuing such a pardon, but the White House remained tight-lipped. The decision to deny the pardon on Friday has pleased Diddy’s rival, 50 Cent.
“As supporters, the White House, and those close to the president and Trump himself called for forgiveness, today’s ‘no’ to the pardon was more than just a simple rejection.”
Following discussions about a pardon for Ghislaine Maxwell, who was associated with Jeffrey Epstein, reporter Rob Finnerty inquired, “Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs—what about forgiving him?” Trump, demonstrating his typical self-centeredness, replied, “Well, I guess he was somewhat innocent.”
Most likely. I liked him before I ran for office, but he was mean to me, so it’s complicated. Honestly, it’s tougher now.
Supporters, including the White House and those close to the president, have urged for forgiveness, but the refusal to pardon Diddy was not a straightforward “no.”
After mentioning Ghislaine Maxwell, who had become a confidant of Jeffrey Epstein, Finnerty asked, “And Diddy?” Would you consider forgiving him?” Trump responded, “He was probably only partly guilty.”
In May, when asked about a pardon for Combs, the head of Bad Boy Records, Trump was less inclined to believe in his innocence. On May 30, in the Oval Office, Trump stated, “I would definitely review the facts if I thought someone was mistreated, whether they like me or not.” This was shortly after Combs’ trial began, lasting eight weeks and often marked by significant corruption.
Since our report suggesting a potential pardon for Combs, figures like Megyn Kelly and other MAGA supporters have pleaded with Trump not to free the music mogul. Kelly publicly warned on July 30 that such a move could damage the Republican Party, especially among young female voters who might oppose a Diddy pardon, emphasizing that it could be politically damaging.
Currently, Diddy remains detained at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center, facing up to 20 years in prison after being convicted of prostitution-related charges. Following his September arrest at a New York City hotel, he has been held in a facility that frequently makes headlines for its conditions. To divert attention from the ongoing controversy surrounding Jeffrey Epstein—whose death in custody in 2019 remains suspicious—Trump has intensified efforts to distract from the matter, possibly to cover up his associations and what files might reveal about Epstein.
Trump had publicly expressed mixed feelings about pardoning Combs. In May, when asked directly about a pardon, he indicated he was open to reviewing the facts if he believed someone had been unfairly treated. His trial for Combs lasted eight weeks and was often criticized for corruption.
Following reports that Combs might be pardoned, notable media figures like Megyn Kelly have urged Trump to reconsider, fearing it could alienate key demographics and hurt the GOP’s standing with young women.
Diddy is still held at Brooklyn’s detention center, awaiting sentencing on charges related to prostitution. He was arrested in a hotel in September, and his detention has attracted negative press. Meanwhile, Trump continues to issue distractions, possibly to steer public attention away from his links to Jeffrey Epstein and the potential revelations from confidential files.
