Sean 'Diddy' Combs asked Trump for a pardon, the president says

WASHINGTON − President Donald Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Monday, Oct. 6, that Sean "Diddy" Combs has requested a pardon as he's set to serve several more years behind bars.

"A lot of people have asked me for pardons," Trump said. "I call him Puff Daddy; he has asked me for a pardon." USA TODAY has reached out to Combs' representative for comment.

U.S. District Court Judge Arun Subramanian sentenced Combs to 50 months in prison on Friday, Oct. 3, after the embattled hip-hop mogul was convicted in his federal sex-crimes case.

Combs could be released in less than three years after receiving credit for the time he has already spent locked up at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, where he's been held in custody since his September 2024 arrest.

Trump said Diddy was 'very hostile' during presidential campaign

This wasn't the first time Trump addressed where he stands with the music mogul. In an interview that aired Aug. 1 on Newsmax with host Rob Finnerty, Trump discussed the possibility of a presidential pardon for Combs.

"Sean 'Diddy' Combs, would you consider pardoning him?" Finnerty asked.

Trump said "probably..." before pausing and revealing to Finnerty, "You know, I was very friendly with him. I got along with him great; (he) seemed like a nice guy. I didn't know him well, but when I ran for office he was very hostile."

The Newsmax host noted then that "he said some not so nice things about you, sir."

"Yeah, and it's hard. You know, like you, we're human beings and we don't like to have things cloud our judgment, right?" Trump said. "But when you knew someone and you were fine and then you run for office and he made some terrible statements… so I don't know... it makes it more difficult to do."

How did Diddy's trial end?

On Monday, Trump was initially asked about a potential pardon for Ghislaine Maxwell, an aide to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein who was convicted of sex trafficking charges. The Supreme Court refused Oct. 6 to hear her appeal.

"I'll take a look at it," said Trump, who added that he hadn't heard her name in a while. "I will speak to the Justice Department," he said.

The Grammy-winning rapper and producer was arrested in September 2024. In July, he was found guilty on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, but was acquitted of the more serious charges of sex trafficking and racketeering.

His conviction centers on the transportation of ex-R&B star Casandra "Cassie" Ventura Fine and a woman identified as "Jane," as well as sex workers, for the intent of prostitution. 

Ventura Fine and Jane both testified during the trial that Combs physically abused and controlled them and had them participate in marathon drug-fueled sexual encounters with male escorts. Those sessions, dubbed "freak offs," often involved travel across state and even international boundaries.

Addressing the judge before his Oct. 3 sentencing, Combs addressed his former partners' detailed testimony.

"I want to personally apologize again to Cassie Ventura for any harm or hurt that I caused to her, emotionally or physically. My actions were disgusting, shameful and sick," Combs said.

Combs also apologized to Jane. "I didn't mean to hurt you," he said.

Contributing: USA TODAY Staff