By Dayo Ade Olusola| M10news | US News| 30 July 2025
Donald Trump is reportedly weighing up the possibility of granting a presidential pardon to music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, following the Bad Boy Records founder’s recent conviction on charges related to prostitution.
Combs, 55, was convicted earlier this month of transporting two women — one being singer Cassie Ventura — across state lines for prostitution.
However, he was acquitted of more serious federal charges, including racketeering and sex trafficking. He has consistently denied all allegations and entered a plea of not guilty.
The Grammy-winning artist is due to be sentenced on 3 October and could face up to 10 years in federal prison.
Now, according to Deadline, a source close to the Trump administration has claimed that the 79-year-old president is “seriously considering” issuing a pardon — a move that could spark fierce political and public backlash.
Trump Open to Possibility
In remarks made back in May, Trump said he had not been closely following Combs’ legal troubles but acknowledged that “people are thinking about” the prospect of a pardon.
“Nobody’s asked, but I know people are thinking about it,” Trump said. “I think some people have been very close to asking.”
Trump emphasized that if he were to consider a pardon, it would be based strictly on whether Combs had been “mistreated,” regardless of the hip-hop mogul’s past political statements.
“Whether they like me or don’t like me, it won’t have any impact,” he said. “If I think somebody was mistreated, I would look at the facts.”
A Fractured Relationship
Trump also reflected on his past friendship with Combs, noting that their relationship deteriorated after he entered politics.
“He used to really like me a lot,” Trump recalled. “But I think when I ran for politics, that relationship busted up. I’d read some nasty statements in the paper all of a sudden.”
Both men previously shared the screen on Celebrity Apprentice in 2012, with Trump publicly calling Combs “a good guy” and “a good friend” at the time.
50 Cent Opposes Pardon
Rapper 50 Cent — real name Curtis Jackson — who has a long-running feud with Combs, has made it clear he opposes any move by Trump to pardon the hip-hop mogul.
Taking to social media, the Get Rich or Die Tryin’ rapper said:
“He said some really bad things about Trump — it’s not OK. I’m gonna reach out so he knows how I feel about this guy.”
In another post, he warned:
“Donald doesn’t take well to disrespect, and doesn’t forget who chooses to go against him.”
50 Cent added that while Trump was “working tirelessly to make America great again,” there was no room for distraction or leniency, saying:
“He would consider pardoning anyone who was being mistreated — not Puffy Daddy.”
Legal Battle Continues
Combs was first arrested in September last year following an FBI investigation into allegations of sex trafficking, coercion, and unlawful business operations. The trial, which began in early May, focused on Combs’ alleged abuse of his power and resources to control women’s movements and finances.
In addition to Ventura, prosecutors called a second woman — identified only as “Jane” — who accused Combs of grooming and transporting her for prostitution across several state lines. While jurors rejected the most severe charges, the conviction for transportation could carry substantial penalties.
Combs has maintained his innocence and vowed to appeal the verdict. His legal team has argued that the conviction was based on weak testimony and that no financial transactions or coercive elements were proven.
Next Steps
If Trump proceeds with a pardon, it would mark one of the most high-profile clemency decisions of his presidency to date. The decision would come amid a polarised political environment, with Combs’ case drawing widespread media attention and sparking debate over celebrity justice.
M10News has contacted representatives for Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs and the White House for comment.
