President Donald Trump confirmed on Monday that Sean “Diddy” Combs has formally requested a presidential pardon, just days after the music executive was sentenced to prison. The president made the remarks to reporters in the Oval Office, leaving the door open to the possibility while offering no commitment.
The inquiry about Combs arose as the president fielded questions regarding other high-profile clemency cases. Trump stated, “A lot of people have asked me for pardons. I call him Puff Daddy. He has asked me for a pardon.”
This public acknowledgment follows earlier reports from within the administration over the summer suggesting the president was weighing the matter. When questioned about those reports previously, Trump characterized the decision as “more difficult,” citing a shift in their relationship since he entered political life. “He used to really like me a lot, but I think when I ran for politics, that relationship busted up,” the president remarked.
Combs was sentenced late last week to 50 months—over four years—in federal prison following his conviction on charges related to prostitution. During the sentencing hearing, the presiding judge delivered a stern rebuke, stating the sentence was necessary because Combs had “abused” victims “physically, emotionally and psychologically,” and that his “power and resources” had allowed the conduct to continue.
The president has previously stated he would “certainly look at the facts” in any pardon case, asserting that whether an individual “likes me or don’t like me” would not influence his decision. For now, absent executive intervention, Combs is set to begin his prison term.
