Pardon Denied: Trump Shuts the Door on Sean 'Diddy' Combs’ Plea for Clemency

January 9, 2026

Pardon Denied: Trump Shuts the Door on Sean 'Diddy' Combs’ Plea for Clemency

The final attempt for Sean "Diddy" Combs has officially fallen short. In a move that has sent shockwaves through both the music industry and the halls of justice, President Donald Trump has confirmed that he has rejected a personal plea for a presidential pardon from the music mogul.

The revelation came during an expansive interview with The New York Times published on Thursday, where President Trump disclosed that Combs had reached out directly via a personal letter. Despite their high-profile history as social acquaintances, the President made it clear that clemency is not on the table.

The "Hostile" History

While the two were once seen together at gala events and in the front rows of fashion shows, the relationship reportedly soured when Trump first entered the political arena. During the interview, the President alluded to "terrible statements" made by Combs in the past, specifically during the 2020 election cycle when Combs was very outspoken critic.

“I was very friendly with him. I got along with him great... but when I ran for office, he was very hostile,” Trump remarked, suggesting that such a history made the prospect of a pardon “more difficult.”

50 Months and No Early Exit

Combs, 56, is currently serving a 50-month federal prison sentence at FCI Fort Dix in New Jersey. The Bad Boy Records founder was convicted in July 2025 on two counts of transporting individuals across state lines for prostitution. While his legal team secured acquittals on more serious charges of sex trafficking and racketeering, the conviction carried a substantial term that his team hoped could be commuted.

Rumors had been circulating within the prison for months that Combs was "confidently" predicting a release in early 2026. This official push back effectively anchors him to his current projected release date of May 8, 2028.

The Road Ahead

With the President closing this door, Combs' only remaining path to freedom lies in the judicial system. His legal team is currently pursuing an appeal of his conviction, with oral arguments tentatively scheduled for April 2026.

However, legal analysts suggest that overturning a federal conviction involving the Mann Act is a steep uphill battle. For now, the man who once famously rapped "Can't Stop, Won't Stop" has been stopped by a definitive "No" from the highest office in the land.