Warning: This article includes discussions about sexual assault that may be upsetting to some readers.
President Donald Trump has discussed the possibility of pardoning Diddy, who was found guilty last month of transporting two individuals for the purpose of prostitution.
In an extended interview with Newsmax, the 79-year-old Republican addressed whether rapper Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs might receive a pardon from the Oval Office.
The jury delivered a verdict at the start of July following a two-month trial. Diddy has been held at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center since September 2024 for his alleged crimes.
He faced five charges in total but was convicted of two, relating to the transportation for prostitution involving his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura and another woman, referred to as ‘Jane’ to protect her identity.
In an interview aired on August 2, Rob Finnerty asked the President: “Sean Diddy Combs. Would you consider pardoning him?”
President Trump replied: “Well, he was essentially, I guess, sort of half innocent. I don’t know what they do. He’s still in jail or something, but he was celebrating a victory. But he seems, I guess it wasn’t as good as a victory.
“Probably, you know, I was very friendly with him. I got along with him great and seemed like a nice guy – I didn’t know him well. But when I ran for office, he was very hostile.”
Finnerty interjected: “He said some not so nice things about you, sir.”
The president elaborated: “And it’s hard, you know, I’m like you – we’re human beings, and we don’t like to have things cloud our judgment, right? But when you knew someone and you were fine, and then you run for office and he made some terrible statements.
“So, I don’t know, it’s more difficult, it makes it more – I’m being honest – it makes it more difficult to do.”
Finnerty then asked: “But more likely a no for Combs?”
“I would say so,” Trump responded.
Public reactions have emerged following these statements.
More updates to come.
If you have been affected by any of the issues discussed in this article, you can reach out to The National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.HOPE (4673), available 24/7, or chat online at online.rainn.org.