As Donald Trump continues his second term with a controversial string of presidential pardons, the former reality star turned commander-in-chief is now entertaining the idea of possibly granting clemency to embattled hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs.
During a recent press conference, Trump was asked whether he would consider pardoning Combs, who is currently on trial in New York facing charges that include sex trafficking, racketeering, and coercion. The former president didn’t say no; instead, he left the door wide open.
“First of all, I’d look at what’s happening. And I haven’t been watching it too closely,” Trump admitted. “But I know people are thinking about it. I think some people have been very close to asking.”
Combs, who has pleaded not guilty to the charges, is currently standing trial after a string of civil lawsuits and a federal indictment painted him as the alleged leader of a violent criminal enterprise; he faces a potential life sentence if convicted on the most serious counts.
The charges stem in part from a 2023 civil suit filed by his former partner, singer Cassie Ventura, which alleged years of physical and sexual abuse. Though that lawsuit was quickly settled, it opened a floodgate of accusations from multiple women, prompting a federal investigation. Then, in May 2024, damning security footage surfaced showing Combs attacking Ventura in a hotel hallway in 2016. The graphic footage led to Combs issuing an apology, calling his actions “inexcusable,” though he continues to deny all allegations of sexual assault.
Still, Trump seems unbothered by the optics of even floating the idea of a pardon in a case so widely publicized and emotionally charged. “Whether they like me or don’t like me, it wouldn’t have any impact,” he said. “If I think somebody was mistreated, I would look at the facts.”
Trump’s comments reignited debate around the use—and abuse—of presidential pardon power. In the first months of his second term, Trump has issued dozens of pardons, including clemency for reality TV personalities Todd and Julie Chrisley, rapper NBA YoungBoy, and a blanket pardon for all January 6th rioters. His track record for celebrity-centric or politically charged pardons has sparked concern about how presidential clemency is being leveraged for personal narratives, culture war fodder, or social media applause.
Trump’s musings on Diddy’s legal future also rekindled public memory of their past relationship. The two were once seen at high-profile events together, including a 2005 gala at Mar-a-Lago and a 2008 U.N. fundraiser. “He used to really like me a lot,” Trump noted, before implying that their relationship soured after he entered politics. “I’d read some little bit nasty statements in the paper all of a sudden.”
The comments come on the heels of a recent interview with Suge Knight, former CEO of Death Row Records, who also floated the idea that Trump could be Diddy’s best shot at clemency. If Trump were to act on it, the move would undoubtedly add to the long and growing list of headline-grabbing pardons that have become a hallmark of his presidential legacy.
Still, this is not merely a legal or political story—it’s a moral one. The question isn’t just whether Trump can pardon Diddy, but whether he should. With multiple women accusing Combs of violent and coercive behavior, a pardon would not only dismiss the severity of the charges but also further erode public trust in the justice system — particularly for victims of sexual violence.
And yet, in Trump’s America, celebrity, proximity, and popularity often blur the lines between accountability and absolution. As Trump himself said, “It’s not a popularity contest.” But as he also made clear: “I would certainly look at the facts.”
For a president who’s never shied away from turning the criminal justice system into a tool of spectacle and loyalty, it wouldn’t be surprising if the facts ultimately mattered less than the headlines.
The question now is: will Diddy become the next recipient of presidential mercy, serving as another reminder that in this political era, justice often comes with a price tag?
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was originally published on
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