President Donald Trump has confirmed he will not grant a presidential pardon to music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, who is currently serving a 50-month federal prison sentence for prostitution-related convictions. Combs had personally written to Trump seeking clemency, but the president said he is not considering the request, effectively ending hopes of a pardon at this time.
Combs, 56, was convicted in July 2025 on two counts of transporting individuals across state lines for prostitution and was later sentenced to more than four years in federal prison. He was acquitted of more serious charges such as racketeering and sex trafficking, but his legal team has been pursuing appeals in an effort to overturn or reduce his sentence.
In an interview with The New York Times, Trump acknowledged receiving a letter from Combs asking for a pardon, but said he was not inclined to grant it. Trump suggested their past personal relationship, which soured after Combs became publicly critical of him during earlier political campaigns, makes the decision more difficult, noting the importance of personal history and public perception in clemency decisions.
The refusal to consider Combs’ plea comes amid broader questions about Trump’s use of his pardon powers. While the president has issued pardons and commutations to others since taking office, including hundreds tied to the January 6 Capitol attack, he has signalled a more selective approach to high-profile requests that could attract controversy or political backlash.
Legal experts say that with the pardon route closed, Combs’ remaining prospects lie in the appeals process, with arguments scheduled for later in 2026. Even if successful, any reduction in his sentence would depend on the appellate court’s willingness to reconsider aspects of his conviction, a challenging hurdle given the federal standard of review.
