The White House has rejected claims that President Donald Trump is contemplating commuting the prison sentence of music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, who is currently serving a 50-month sentence for prostitution-related offenses.
Speculation first arose following a TMZ report, which suggested that Trump was weighing whether to extend clemency to Diddy, shortly after commuting the sentence of former congressman George Santos.
A spokesperson for the White House dismissed the report as false.
“There is zero truth to the TMZ report, which we would’ve gladly explained had they reached out before running their fake news,” the official said, according to Daily Mail.
“The president, not anonymous sources, is the final decider on pardons and commutations,” the statement added.
Diddy, 55, was acquitted of sex trafficking and racketeering charges but convicted on two counts related to transporting individuals for prostitution. He has already served 13 months at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.
His legal team has indicated plans to appeal the conviction, filing a two-page notice with the Federal District Court of New York. Attorney Alexandra Shapiro argued that the charges stem from outdated laws under the Mann Act.
“The prostitution charges are relics of outdated law and should not be applied in today’s legal framework,” Shapiro stated.
Trump, who has acknowledged a personal connection with Diddy, previously described the case as “interesting” in a Newsmax interview, saying:
“He was essentially, sort of, half innocent. I don’t know what they do that he’s still in jail.”
Despite his comments, the president suggested he was “more likely a no” regarding any clemency, although his past decisions in high-profile cases have occasionally surprised the public.
Diddy’s conviction followed a high-profile trial that reignited scrutiny of his past, including video evidence of him physically abusing ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, an act that drew widespread condemnation.
During sentencing, Judge Arun Subramanian criticized the rapper’s conduct, describing it as “savage” and highlighting the “irreparable harm” caused to the victims.
“This case underscores the severe consequences of abusive behavior,” the judge said as he imposed the 50-month sentence.
With the White House dismissing the possibility of a pardon and Diddy’s attorneys pursuing an appeal, the case remains unresolved. The rapper continues to serve his sentence in Brooklyn while his legal team seeks to overturn the conviction, keeping the story in the public eye.
