Diddy Seeks Presidential Pardon, Trump Indicates Unlikely Approval

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Music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs is requesting a presidential pardon for his recent federal convictions related to prostitution, but President Donald Trump has suggested that approval is unlikely due to Combs’s past hostility during the election campaign.

Nicole Westmoreland, a member of Combs’s legal team, confirmed to CNN that discussions have taken place with the White House. “It’s my understanding that we’ve reached out and had conversations in reference to a pardon,” she said.

Combs, 55, was convicted last month on two federal charges of transporting individuals across state lines to engage in prostitution. Each charge carries a maximum penalty of ten years in prison. He was acquitted of the more serious charges of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy. A federal judge recently denied his request for bail while he awaits sentencing in October.

President Trump addressed the pardon request during an interview with Newsmax, stating, “They have talked to me about Sean. I was very friendly with him, I got along with him great, and he seemed like a nice guy.” However, he also noted that Combs was “very hostile” during the presidential campaign. “It’s hard, you know we’re human beings, and we don’t like to have things cloud our judgment, right? 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’s more difficult.”

When asked directly whether the pardon was likely to be denied, Trump replied, “I would say so.”

Despite the president’s remarks, Combs’s legal team remains optimistic. “He is a very hopeful person, and I believe that he remains hopeful,” Westmoreland said.

Prosecutors have not yet recommended a specific sentence, though earlier filings indicated a possible four- to five-year term. A recent update from the prosecution suggested the sentencing range could be “substantially higher.”

A senior White House official told The Telegraph, “Any decision on pardons or commutations will come directly from the president, and the White House will not comment on any speculation regarding such actions.”

Combs remains in federal custody as the court prepares for his sentencing hearing later this year.