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President Donald Trump has confirmed that Sean "Diddy" Combs personally asked him for a presidential pardon but said he does not plan to grant clemency to the imprisoned music mogul.
In an interview with The New York Times published Thursday, Jan. 8, Trump revealed that Combs reached out directly while serving his federal sentence. "He asked me for a pardon," Trump said, adding that the request came "through a letter." When pressed for details, the president quipped, "Oh, would you like to see that letter?" The Times noted that Trump did not produce the letter. A White House spokesperson later confirmed Trump's comments, while Combs' representatives declined to comment.
Combs, 56, was convicted in July on two counts of transporting people across state lines for prostitution. He was acquitted of more serious charges, including sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy, following a high-profile federal trial in New York City. In October, he was sentenced to approximately four years in prison and ordered to pay fines. According to Federal Bureau of Prisons records, he is currently scheduled for release on May 25, 2028, after receiving credit for time served.
Trump's comments mark the clearest indication yet that a pardon is unlikely, despite previous public speculation. In May 2025, Trump said he would "certainly look at the facts" if a pardon request were formally made. "If I think somebody was mistreated it wouldn't matter whether they like me or don't," he said at the time. However, he also acknowledged that his past relationship with Combs had deteriorated.
Trump later said that he and Combs had previously been on good terms and that he viewed him positively, though they were never close. He explained that their relationship soured after he entered politics, claiming Combs became openly hostile and made damaging remarks about him, which he said complicated any consideration of offering assistance.
Trump also weighed in on the possibility of clemency during the Times interview by pointing to the mixed outcome of Combs' case, noting that he had earlier characterized the verdict as partially favourable following the acquittals. However, he emphasized that past relationships would not guide his decisions, explaining that personal feelings can influence judgment but should not determine presidential actions.
The president made clear that Combs is not the only high-profile figure he plans to deny clemency. He told the Times he would not pardon several other individuals, including former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, disgraced crypto executive Sam Bankman-Fried, or former U.S. senator Robert Menendez.
