Would a Trump Pardon for Diddy Be Fair—or Favoritism?

Donald Trump has been back in the news again after he discussed the possibility of pardoning hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs. On Friday, August 1, Trump appeared on Newsmax’s Finnerty and was asked if he could give Combs a presidential pardon after he was recently convicted on federal charges last month.

Combs, who founded Bad Boy Records, was found guilty of one federal charge of transportation with the intent to engage in prostitution, but he was acquitted of more serious sex trafficking and racketeering charges that were pressed against him. The seven-week-long trial was full of drama and testimonies, as well as singer Cassie Ventura’s claims that Combs abused her and trafficked her during their previous relationship. Combs, however, has repeatedly denied any of those allegations, as well as the ones from the recent case, stating his innocence.

Asked about the possibility of him pardoning Combs, Trump was not exactly decisive but didn’t rule it out, either. “Well, he was essentially, I guess, sort of half-innocent,” he said before adding a mysterious familiarity. “He’s still in jail or something, but he was celebrating a victory. But I guess it wasn’t as good a victory.”

Trump then went on to discuss the former relationship they had, or used to have. “We were very friendly. I got along with him great,” Trump said. But then he addressed the end of that friendship by blaming it on his political career. “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.”

This is not the first time Trump has been asked about this matter, as back in May, during a press briefing held in the Oval Office, he had a chance to talk about this as well. As was the case on August 1, Trump was asked about it by Fox News reporter Peter Doocy. At the time, he had a very similar approach to what he said to Finnerty on Friday, saying he would “look at the facts” and that he would not be a victim of an unfair conviction.

“I haven’t spoken to him in years,” Trump said of Combs. “If I think somebody was mistreated, whether they like me or don’t like me, it wouldn’t have any impact on me.”

The new trial, as well as a possible pardon

Sean “Diddy” Combs still has a long road to travel as his case is moving forward. The charges were the result of a federal investigation that went from 2020 to 2022 before Combs was indicted by a grand jury and then later convicted last month in July. Even though Combs was found not guilty on the most serious of the charges that were pressed against him, the transportation charge still allows prosecutors to push for a long prison sentence. Combs is facing up to 20 years behind bars, with his sentencing date set for October 3.

As for Combs’ possible pardon by former President Trump, only time will tell. As we have seen this month, as well as back in May, Trump likes to keep the possibility open while keeping his options. He also makes sure to add that he hasn’t had any contact with Combs for a while, which means he could be either siding with or against him. In any event, he would be assessing the whole case once again before making any decision.

“He was celebrating a victory,” Trump said of Combs in his recent Newsmax interview. “But I guess it wasn’t as good a victory.”

A part of Trump’s full comments during his Finnerty interview has been published to X (formerly Twitter) by Newsmax, and it has already sparked reactions from political pundits and others. Of course, we won’t know for sure if Trump will ultimately take any action until October. For now, fans can only wait to see how things play out for Combs after sentencing takes place.