President Donald Trump stated he’s unlikely to situation a presidential pardon to Sean “Diddy” Combs, citing previous feedback the music mogul made about him and referring to Combs as “half-innocent” following his latest conviction.
Supply: JOE SCHILDHORN/Patrick McMullan/ Dimitrios Kambouris/ / Getty
In line with Rolling Stone, Trump addressed the matter throughout an interview with Newsmax host Rob Finnerty on Friday, stating,
“Properly, he was basically, I assume, kind of half-innocent… however after I ran for workplace, he was very hostile… it makes it harder to do.”
Trump’s remarks observe Combs’ July 2 conviction on two counts of transportation to interact in prostitution. He was acquitted of extra severe intercourse trafficking and racketeering conspiracy expenses. Every of the 2 remaining counts carries a possible sentence of as much as 10 years. Combs is scheduled to be sentenced on October 3.
50 Cent Reacts On-line
Rapper 50 Cent by no means shies away from sharing his opinion. Reported by Deadline, rapper and tv government Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson responded to Trump’s feedback Friday evening on social media. He posted an AI-generated picture and wrote,
“Are you able to imagine he thought he was getting pardoned? No Sir, you aren’t. You stated very nasty issues.”
Jackson, a longtime critic of Combs, had beforehand stated he would try to dissuade Trump from granting a pardon.
Combs Stays in Custody
In line with Rolling Stone, Combs’ authorized crew has filed a 62-page movement asking a choose to vacate his conviction or grant a brand new trial targeted on the remaining prostitution counts. In addition they submitted a request for bail earlier this week. Prosecutors with the Southern District of New York filed a counter-motion requesting that Combs stay detained till sentencing.
Combs is presently being held on the Metropolitan Detention Middle in Brooklyn, the place he has been since his arrest in September 2024.
Pardon Marketing campaign and Monetary Gives
Rolling Stone experiences that Combs’ associates started lobbying Trump’s allies shortly after the 2024 presidential election. Sources advised the publication that Combs’ supporters provided mid-six-figure funds to political operatives and lobbyists with ties to Trump to advocate for a pardon.
Whereas a few of Trump’s associates thought of the request, senior advisers reportedly expressed concern because of the nature of the costs and the potential political fallout.
Additionally in Rolling Stone, a gaggle of survivors related to the broader investigation is getting ready a letter urging Trump to not situation a pardon. A draft of the letter reviewed by the outlet states, “A pardon wouldn’t be justice however a devastating message to survivors all over the place: that our lives, our ache, and our reality are nonetheless negotiable.”
Political and Authorized Context
In Deadline, Trump’s concerns may additionally be formed by his long-standing stress with the Southern District of New York and former FBI Director James Comey. Maurene Comey, the lead prosecutor within the case earlier than being eliminated, is James Comey’s daughter.
Trump beforehand expressed a willingness to look at the case. On Could 30, he stated,
“I will surely have a look at the details if I believe someone was mistreated, whether or not they like me or don’t like me.”
Throughout Friday’s interview with Newsmax, Trump reiterated that his determination was influenced by private and political historical past.
“We’re human beings,” he stated. “And we don’t prefer to have issues cloud our judgment, proper?”
Conclusion: Energy, Petty, and Politics
Trump calling Diddy “half-innocent” is likely to be probably the most passive-aggressive pardon denial we’ve seen in trendy politics—and in typical Trump trend, the assertion says extra about ego than proof. In the meantime, 50 Cent’s digital victory lap exhibits there’s no beef too huge to carry to the timeline whereas Combs continues to struggle for a lowered sentence and a shot at bail.
