Legal Experts React to Trump’s Possible Pardon of Diddy

Donald Trump has just found a way to stay in the headlines. He’s doing this by sparring with the possibility of the president pardoning one of the hip-hop moguls, Sean “Diddy” Combs. As seen on Friday, August 1, on Newsmax’s Finnerty, Trump was asked if he’d grant Combs a presidential pardon following his conviction last month.

Sean Combs, the founder of Bad Boy Records, was found guilty last month on one federal charge related to transportation with the intent to participate in prostitution. This was early July, and as part of the trial. Although he was cleared on sex trafficking and racketeering charges, the trial that lasted more than seven weeks was a whirlwind. The trial was also filled with testimonies and dramatic twists and turns. This also included singer Cassie Ventura’s allegations that Combs abused and trafficked her while they were in a past relationship. Combs has repeatedly denied the allegations while continuing to proclaim his innocence.

When Finnerty on Friday, August 1 asked about the possible pardon, Trump seemed to suggest that he might consider it. “Well, he was essentially, I guess, sort of half-innocent,” Trump responded to Finnerty’s question on Friday. A little later in the video, he added, “He’s still in jail or something, but he was celebrating a victory. But I guess it wasn’t as good a victory.”

He also mentioned that the former Bad Boy Records founder used to like him but was less positive toward Trump. “We were very friendly. I got along with him great,” Trump added. “He used to like me a lot. I think when I ran for politics, that relationship busted up. … I would certainly look at the facts. If I think somebody was mistreated, whether they like me or don’t like me, it wouldn’t have any impact on me.”

Pardon or No Pardon?

Trump has previously talked about the possible pardon for Sean Combs. During a press briefing in the Oval Office in May, Trump had fielded a similar question from Fox News White House reporter Peter Doocy. At that time, Trump had given a response that was as equivocal as he has become used to being. Trump had promised then that he would “look at the facts” before he made a decision. He had also said then that he would not be influenced by personal affection or enmity for the music mogul.

“I haven’t spoken to him in years,” Trump told Doocy during the May interview. “I will say that we did get along. But whether he likes me or not, if I think somebody was mistreated, I will look at it.”

The charges against Sean Combs have been building since last year, when federal prosecutors revealed in a massive 230-count indictment that the billionaire hip-hop mogul and two other men were charged with trafficking women for sex. The case would go to trial in July, with Combs being ultimately cleared of the most serious offenses. However, the misdemeanor charge of transportation with the intent to participate in prostitution, for which he was found guilty on still has weighty penalties. The one count that he was convicted on is punishable by up to 20 years in federal prison, with sentencing currently set for October 3.

Hip-hop fans are continuing to keep a close eye on the latest developments in Cinbs’ legal situation. The federal probe would trigger a high-profile trial that saw him ultimately being found guilty on the sale count. Now, a few weeks removed from the trial, Trump has yet again added more fodder for analysis by raising the potential of a pardon for Combs. Despite their falling out, Trump seems to be suggesting he is at least willing to take a close look at the facts.

“He was celebrating a victory,” Trump said. “But I guess it wasn’t as good of victory.”

Video clips of Trump’s complete comments during the Friday, August 1 Finnerty interview on Newsmax have been shared on X (formerly Twitter). The X post was shared by Joe Scarnici, who was the White House photographer during Trump’s administration. Fans of hip-hop and even political observers have been sharing and reacting to the footage. It remains to be seen if Trump will ultimately follow through on the possibility of a pardon. However, in the meantime, his remarks have continued to add to the intrigue around it.

In the meantime, the sentencing for Sean Combs is scheduled to take place on October 3. Before then, talk and speculation will no doubt continue about whether or not Trump would consider a pardon.